If there is a state that surrounds the soul of India completely, it is Kerala – known as “Gods on Country”. Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, the state offers amazing landscapes, rich heritage and vibrant festivals that provide a deep dive in the cultural and spiritual heart of the region. While festivals like Pongal, Vishu, and Onam attract the crowd every year, but there are less complicated but equally captivating ceremonies that demonstrate unique traditions of the state. If you are someone who likes to search for diverse cultures and celebrations, then there are three Kerala festivals that you cannot remember completely.
Thrissur poor: festival of festivals
Often referred to as the “festival of festivals”, Thrissur Garama is a astonishing spectacle that defines the cultural prosperity of Kerala. The grand festival held every year at the Vadakunathan Temple in Thrissur, attracts thousands of visitors from all corners of the world. This is not just a temple festival; This is a bright performance of tradition, spirituality and community spirit.
The festival is closed with a grand procession of decorated elephants, affecting each colored cloth wrapped and beautifully prepared umbrellas. As they march through the roads, the thunder beating of the Chanda Melum (a traditional drum dress) and the panch is filled with the thunderous beating air. The Center of Thrissur Garib is a performance of Vedicateu or fireworks – an extraordinary fireworks show that brightens the sky and adds to the grand atmosphere of the festival.
Thrissur Garama is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Madame, the day when the poor star align with the moon. A festival that celebrates unity and harmony with the people of all areas of life, regardless of religion, is coming together to participate in this vibrant festival, this is an experience that you have a lot of cultural heritage of Kerala Dip in the essence.
Thiruvathira: A woman-centric festival
For centuries, Kerala has celebrated the holy festival of Thiruvathira; This is a day which is dedicated to the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and his divine association, Goddess Parvati. While the Thiruvathira is an important spiritual observation for Hindus, it holds a unique place in the hearts of Malayali women. Dhanu is celebrated every year in the month of Masam (December-January), the festival is a symbol of unity between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which reflects the ultimate partnership and harmony.
On the day of Thiruvathira, women gather early in the morning to bathe in communal ponds, wear clothes in their best sari, beautify themselves with jasmine garlands, and make heads for Shiva temples to offer prayers Are. The day is full of rituals, feast and joyful celebrations, one of the highlights, with a traditional group dance, kicotically. Women are placed in the center of a flower rangoli around a Nilavilakku (an auspicious lamp) and sing songs in praise of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The dance is spontaneous, fun and inclusive, everyone is joining regardless of skill or experience.
The celebration also includes preparations for special recipes such as Pujuku (a spicy mixture of tuber vegetables) and Kova Payasam (a sweet dessert made of aerovot and jaggery). It is a day that respects both spiritual and social importance of women in the culture of Kerala.
WAM: A divine ritual performance
One of Kerala’s most enchanted and ancient festival traditions is a powerful fusion of Vam-dance, music and devotion that returns to the former-Hindu time. Unlike most festivals, WAM is not just a celebration; It is performed in the northern districts of Kerala, especially a spiritual ritual in temples and family wealth. It is one of the most extraordinary manifestations of folk art, which combines devotion with dramatic performance.
The central aspect of wheyam is a detailed conversion to the artist to a divine existence. Mainly performed by men from the marginalized communities, Vam artist don ornate costumes, complex face paint and giant headgier, often reach 50 feet. Each Vam performance is represented by a deity or mythological character, including the deity, goddess, demon and hero. Artists enter the state like a transparency, representing the divine appearance.
Performance is a mixture of dances, music and rituals, and sometimes performs adventurous acts such as fire-walking or walking on a burning ember. Chanda (Drum), Eltham (Jhanj), and other traditional equipment enhances the mysticism of performance. Ritual performance often involves prediction, treatment and fate and fate, which adds mystery and aura of reverence around this ancient tradition.
These festivals give you a chance to see a mixture of faith, art and community spirit that makes Kerala unique. Your interest in experiencing these cultural performances is exemplary in my lens competition in my country, which celebrates 100-year Hindustan Time through a 100-day photography challenge. If you are a budding photographer or someone who has been doing this for years, then get a chance to feature your picture in Hindustan Times! Click here for more information.
