Kerala

Fairs and Festivals of Kerala:

Kerala hosts a variety of traditional festivals during the year. These celebrations include a wide range of regions and cultures. There will be dance shows, boat races, bejewelled elephants, colourful rangolis, and everything else cool. Here are some of the major ones:

• Onam: This ten-day festival is Kerala's state festival, and it exudes a raucous exuberance throughout the state. It is so important that the entire state is given a four-day holiday during the festival. Onam is a famous Kerala festival that takes place in the Malyali month of Chingam (Aug- Sep). It is a festival honouring Vishnu's avatar Vamana. Mahabali, a respected king, also returned home. This festival commemorates his homecoming too.

• Vishu: Vishu is Kerala's second most popular festival, marking the start of the new year on the 14th, 15th, or 16th of April. It is said that the first thing a person sees on the morning of Vishu determines the rest of the year, and it must be an auspicious post. As a result, the people prepare a Kani for the next day.

• Boat Race Festival: Kerala's backwaters are well-known in the world. The Kerala Watercraft Event adds to the gleaming water canals' elegance. The Kerala boat race attracts a lot of attention, as well as a lot of esprit de corps and sync among the competitors. Seeing the Kerala boat race is such an exciting experience that no one can miss it.

• Eid-ul Fitr: The festival commemorates the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy fasting month. On the day of Id, the faithful gather in mosques and vast grounds for special community prayers. Following that, people welcome one another and greet each other with 'Eid Mubarak,' a greeting that conveys the spirit of love, goodwill, and cooperation. The mood of the season is heightened by the wearing of new clothing and visiting friends' homes.

• Thrissur Pooram Festival: The Thrissur Pooram Festival is a well-known festival in Kerala. This is a temple festival that celebrates Kerala's vivid colours and culture. This eight-day festival is celebrated by a community of approximately 12 temples. The last day of the festival, Thrissur Pooram, is the culmination of the entire festival and is celebrated with enthusiasm. The festival takes place in the month of Medam (Apr- May) in the Malayali calendar.

• Attukal Pongala: Only women are eligible to participate in this festival, which takes place on the ninth day of the ten-day festival in the months of February and March. The women prepare the sweet dish known as ‘Pongala' in the morning and it is ready for the offering by noon. Boiled rice, jaggery, and coconut are used to make this dish. Pongala is then given to Attukal Devi, blessed by the holy priest, and carried back to the house by the women to be consumed. Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife, is said to be an incarnation of Attukal Devi. This is one festival that people celebrate regardless of their religion, caste, or skin colour.

• Theyyam Festival: Theyyam is one of the most well-known and eagerly anticipated festivals in Kerala. Folk dances and poetry are included in this 800-year-old festival. There are over 400 different types of Theyyam performances to choose from, with Kari Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, and Wayanad Kulavan being the best. This is one of Kerala's most well-known festivals.

• Makaravilakku: Makaravilakku is a seven-day festival held in Sabarimala every year on the 14th of January. Lord Ayyappa, also known as "Hari Hara Putra," is honoured in this temple. Hari denotes Vishnu, Hara denotes Shiv, and Putra denotes a son. People who worship Lord Shiv (Saivites) and Lord Vishnu are brought together by Lord Ayyappa (Vaishnites). On his head, a priest dances with a box of god's jewels. 

Must Visiting Places in Kerala:

Kerala, also known as God's Own Country, has a number of stunning tourist attractions that draw visitors from all over the world. Hill stations, backwaters, commercial towns, hamlets, and much more are all worth visiting. Crowds flock to Kerala for its rich culture and heritage, as well as some of the best places to visit in the state. These top tourist attractions in Kerala are not to be missed:

1. Alappuzha- The city of Alappuzha (Alleppey) is dubbed the "Venice of the East." Alleppey is the centre of Kerala's backwaters and home to a vast network of backwaters and over a thousand houseboats, making it one of the best tourist destinations in the state. The houseboats found in Alappuzha's backwaters are actually reworked versions of traditional Kettuvallams. Float along, looking out over the paddy fields in the vast maze of waterways.
2. Kochi- Kochi is Kerala's cultural and economic capital. It is a tourist hotspot that draws people from all over the world. In Kochi, you can see everything from Chinese fishing nets to exotic spice cultivations. This city is a mash-up of different cultures that have managed to survive to this day. Kochi hides a surprise around every corner, only waiting to be found.
3. Periyar National Park- Periyar National Park in Kerala's Thekkady district is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Wild elephants abound in Periyar, and 30-minute elephant rides through the jungle are available. Safaris are conducted by boat, and the lake is especially beautiful at sunset.
4. Munnar- Munnar is a hill station that has become one of the best tourist destinations in Kerala, with around 80,000 miles of tea plantation, an equal mix of aromatic trees, misty valleys, and low-flying clouds. Munnar sightseeing draws visitors from all over the world. It was once the British summer capital.
5. Kovalam- Kovalam is a beautiful coastal town in Kerala, about 13 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is dotted with resorts and ayurvedic massage centres and is known for its three neighbouring crescent-shaped shallow water and low tidal beaches.
6. Wayanad- Wayanad is known as India's spice garden, with many tourist attractions and large orchards of spices such as cardamom, black pepper, star anise, fenugreek, black cumin, and others. The scent of a coffee plantation, the nutrition of organic fruits and vegetables, and the waving paddy fields give this place a distinct fragrance.
7. Thrissur- Thrissur was once the capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, but due to its spiritual, cultural, and religious inclinations throughout history, it is now considered Kerala's cultural capital. During the festive season in the city, one can visit a variety of beautiful temples and churches that become a hub of activity. If you visit Thrissur, you must try the delectable Vellayappam, a kind of rice cake.
8. Kumarakom- Kumarakom, located near Vembanad Lake, is a peaceful little hamlet with alluring scenery, year-round nice weather, and exotic flora and fauna, making it one of Kerala's most beautiful tourist destinations. Backwaters, authentic Kerala food, ultra-fresh air, the warmth of Keralites, and deliciously fresh coconuts are all here for you to indulge in.
9. Trivandrum- Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, Kerala's capital city, is built on seven hills and proudly retains its age-old cultural charm. Trivandrum is one of the best tourist destinations in South India because of its diverse attractions, which include impressive museums, beautifully built palaces, holy temples, and mesmerising beaches. Padmanabhaswamy Temple (also known as Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple) is a temple which is a must visit when here.
10. Kollam- Kollam is a local town with a rich history and special culture credited with the magic of nature. It is one of the oldest ports in the Arabian Sea. Since the glorious rule of ancient Rome, the port of this city has been operating. Kollam's calm seashore, coconut palms, lush cashew plantations, and traditional villages are sure to mesmerise anyone.
11. Varkala- Varkala beach's setting is stunning, with a long winding stretch of cliff and views out over the Arabian Sea. Coconut trees, quaint stores, beach shacks, hotels, and guesthouses line a paved footpath that runs the length of the cliff. A long stretch of sparkling beach nestled at the bottom of the cliff can be reached through steps leading down from the cliff.
12. Palakkad- Palakkad has most awesome weather, picturesque mountains, sparkling lakes, stunning dams, lush green forests, and majestic temples and forts, just like a beautiful photo postcard. It is one of Kerala's most rejuvenating forest tourist destinations due to its lush greenery. Palakkad, one of Kerala's most popular cities, is appropriately known as the "Paddy Capital of the World" because of its large paddy estates and tea plantations. One shouldn’t miss to visit the Palakkad Fort and Rock Garden when here.
13. Bekal- Bekal is a small town in Kerala's Kasargod district, located on the west coast of the Malabar coast. It is well-known for its beaches, backwaters, forts, and tourist attractions. Bekal is home to Kerala's biggest fortress. It is one of Kasargod's most well-known landmarks.
14. Kozhikode- Kozhikode or formerly known as Calicut, known for its culture, is one of Kerala's most beautiful tourist destinations. It was here that Vasco-da-Gama landed in India for the first time, and the beginnings of the famous Spice Route were charted. It's known for its beautiful beach, where you can see one of the most beautiful sunsets and eat a lot of seafood. Dolphins Point, the Lighthouse, and the Backwaters are just a few of the must-see attractions in Kozhikode.
15. Kannur- Kannur was previously a very important British trading centre in the south, hence much of the city still carries the aura of Colonial times which is mixed in with the local flavour of Kannur. You can explore St. Angelo Fort, walk along the Payyamabalam Beach, spot some wildlife at Aralam wildlife sanctuary or take a ferry ride over the Laccadive Sea. Kannur is a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors alike.
16. Poovar Island- Poovar Island Resort is located about 30 minutes south of Kovalam. They aren't as magnificent as those in the Maldives, but they are still worth visiting. Poovar Island, located near the Tamil Nadu border, is a spectacular natural wonder. It is located at the confluence of the Neyyar River and the Arabian Sea. An elongated sand bar lies between them.
17. Guruvayur- Guruvayur, in the Thrissur District of Kerala, is one of the most spiritual places in the state. Since it is a small town, it is one of Kerala's lesser-known tourist destinations, making it an ideal place to learn about the state's local culture. For those wanting to embrace the nature of spirituality, Guruvyaur is one of the best places to visit in Kerala.
18. Vagamon- This breathtaking tourist spot is surrounded by meandering rivulets and lush green hills and has a nice climate throughout the year. Vagamon is the ideal getaway because of its tea garden, pine trees, waterfalls, and mesmerising meadows. An International Paragliding Festival is being held in Vagamon by the Kerala Tourism Department and the Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (AASTA).