Kerala is rich in its tradition and culture. It is famous for the unique boat races, festivals, art forms etc. Known as God’s own country, the main attractions in the state is the variety of festivals and the way the people celebrate it with the zeal. No wonder why the tourists are attracted to Kerala. Here we are listing the important festivals in Kerala, you can plan your visit according to the festival season. 

Onam

Onam is considered as the state festival of Kerala during the harvest season of the Malayalam month calendar ‘Chingam’. It is a ten-day festival starting from Atham. Athachamayam marks the beginning of Onam festival. It is held in the town of Thrippunithura. Onam is related to the Hindu mythology, it is considered as the homecoming of famous Asura King Mahabali who ruled the state. Onam Sadhya is the feast during the festival, it consists of vegetarian curries and a variety of desserts known as ‘payasam’. It is celebrated by all Keralites without any religious barrier. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm with fireworks, foods, Attapookalam etc. Attapookalam is the design with flowers which the people make to welcome their favourite King to the State. Onam celebration is accompanied by the famous boat races. Mainly Onam falls between August or September.

Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram is one of the famous festivals in Kerala. It is called as poorams of poorams.The festival is hosted in Thekkinkadu Maidanam in Thrissur near Vadukkunathan temple. Thrissur Pooram was initiated by Shaktan Thampuran, Cochin Maharaja. It is celebrated in the month of medam. Thrissur Pooram is considered as the colourful celebration of the state and largest of poorams. It is celebrated on Malayalam star pooram in the month medam. Kudamattam during the Thrissur pooram is famous.

Kerala Boat Races 

Known for its backwaters, Kerala boat races are biggest attractions of the state. Boat races which are commonly known as ‘Vallom kali’ begin from July and continue till September after the Onam festival. The series of Kerala boat race begins with Champakulam boat race in Alleppey and continued by the other boat races. Among all boat races, the Nehru Trophy boat race is considered as the oldest and biggest one held in Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Snake boat called chundan vallom’ is used for boat races.

Christmas

Although Christmas is celebrated in other countries, it holds a special place in Kerala. Kerala homes, churches and buildings will be decorated with stars from the month beginning itself and it will be decorated with cribs and Christmas trees on the arrival of Christmas. Carol groups visit each home with Santa Claus to give gifts and cakes. Main attractions of Kerala Christmas is the food items which include the Kerala traditional foods Appam, Stew, Pidikozhi etc. 

Bakrid

As Christmas, Bakrid is also celebrated all over the world. It is called as “Festival of the Sacrifice”. Bakrid is celebrated to honour Prophet Ibrahim for his willingness to sacrifice his son, on the command of God. To test Ibrahim devotion, God has sent a goat in the place of his son. So, Bakrid is celebrated by sacrificing goats. In Kerala, the festival is celebrated with Kerala flavoured spicy Mutton biriyani. As the festival implies sharing food and clothes are shared among neighbours and relatives.

There are many unique features of Kerala like Theyyam, Pulikali(mainly during Onam), Attukal Pongala, Ramadan, Theyyam, Vishu etc. Plan your trip during the festivals to experience it.