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Vishu:
It is one of the important festivals of Kerala. Vishu
is celebrated in the month of April. According to the
old traditional Malayalam calendar it is the 1st day
of the New Year. The main event of the Vishu celebration
is the 'Kani- Kanal'. Coconuts, fruits, cereals and
Konna flowers are kept in big pots to prepare Kani.
Behind this pot, a mirror and a garlanded statue of
Krishna are kept. Early morning on the Vishu day, the
master of the house sees the Kani and then the rest
of the family follows. Children's are brought blind
folded to see the Kani. The elders in the family give
money to the youngsters and bless them. According to
the local beliefs, if we you Kani good luck will stay
with you till the year end.
Navratri: The Navratri celebration
is known by different names in different parts of India.
It is Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussehra of Bombay and the
Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. The
Navratri festival runs over 9 days. The last three days
of navratri are most important. The last three days
are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami.
On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the
ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It involves decorating
a room superbly, illuminating it with many lights and
arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the
room, the things necessary for performing Saraswati
Puja. During the last three days of Puja, all sorts
of learning and business come to a stand still.
Onam: Onam is the most important
and popular festival of Kerala. Onam is celebrated with
lots of fervor and gaiety. All Malayalis, irrespective
of their religion, celebrate Onam. It falls in the Malayalam
month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). Onam is the harvest festival
of Kerala. According to legends, Onam is celebrated
to commemorate the home coming of Mahabali, the king
who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and was pushed
down to the Patala by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana.
The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form
of Vamana) is installed in every Hindu home during the
Onam celebration. Children go around collecting flowers
and decorating them in the front portion of their houses
in different designs and patterns. Onam festival is
an example of religious harmony and provides for family
get-together.
Mahasivarathri: Maha Shivaratri
is an important festival of Hindus and is celebrated
in Kumbam (Feb-March). Mahasivarathri festival commemorates
the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison
(Kalakuda visham) to save the world from destruction.
On the Mahashivaratri day, people throng all the prominent
Shiva temples to offer their prayers to lord Shiva.
Asthami Rohini: Asthami Rohini,
the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great
fervor in the state. It is celebrated in the month of
Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples
to offer Pooja and prayers. Cultural programmes are
also held to mark the occasion.
Thrikarthiaka: Thrikarthiaka
festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (Nov-Dec).
Display of light in the evening is an integral and unique
part of the festival.
Christmas: Christmas is an
important festival of Kerala. Christians, all over Kerala,
celebrate Christmas on 25th Dec. During Christmas, holy
Mass is held in all the churches of Kerala. Singing
of Christmas Carols, Setting up of Christmas tree, exchanges
of cards, gifts etc form an integral part of Christmas
festivities in Kerala.
Easter: Easter is another important
festival of Christians, which commemorates the resurrection
of Jesus Christ. Easter is celebrated with fervor and
dedication among the Christian community of Kerala.
Easter generally falls in March-April. During the Easter
celebrations, Christians go for mid-night mass as a
memory of the resurrection of Jesus.
Bakrid: Bakrid commemorates
the sacrifice of Ibrahim in obedience to God's command.
Bakrid is an important festival of Kerala. Muslims enjoy
hearty feasts on Bakrid day. Many rich people sacrifice
goats and distribute them among friends, relatives and
the poor, to mark the occasion.
Idul Fitr: Idul Fitr/Eid is
celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when
Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during the
day and spend the major part of the night prayer. Since
Kerala has a substantial population of Muslims, Idul
Fitr/Eid is an important celebration.
Miladi Sharif: Miladi Sharif,
celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the
birth of the prophet. This celebration has acquired
its present dimensions only in recent times. Previously
the day was observed by the Muslims by reading what
is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise
in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings
of the prophet or some saint.
Muharram: Muharram is another
festival celebrated by Muslims of Kerala on the 10th
day of Muharram, the forbidden month, which marks the
beginning of the Hijra year.
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