The south Indian state of Kerala is referred to as the God`s own country and is renowned for a wide plethora of colorful festivals. The festivals of Kerala are an integral part of the social and cultural structure of the state. Each and every community and religion has some festival to celebrate all throughout the year. It seems as if the state of Kerala wakes to some festival or the other each and every day of the year. Festivals in the state of Kerala also mean a time for special prayers and worship and a time for devotees to assemble religious discourses and cultural programmes.

Onam
It is one of the most important festivals of Kerala. All the Malayalis irrespective of their religion and caste celebrates with equal amount of pomp and show. This festival falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam or the months of August/September according to the English calendar. It is generally regarded as the national harvest festival of the state of Kerala. The image of Vishnu in the form of Vamana is installed in every Hindu home during season.

Vishnu Festival
One of the most popular festivals of Kerala is the Vishnu festival. It is observed on the first of Medam or in the months of March/April according to the English calendar. In the state of Kerala it is popularly known as Malayalam New Year`s day. According to the Malayalam tradition the morning of this day is considered to be very propitious, as it is believed that prosperity prevails throughout the year if you view good things at that particular hour. The ancient custom of preparing `kani` is still continued. A great feast at home is the high point of celebrating this festival at home.

Thrissur Pooram
This is believed to be the one of the most spectacular festivals of Kerala. The monarch of the erstwhile Cochi state Sakthan Thampuran introduced this festival. The festive celebration of this festival is observed in the month of Medom or the English months of April/May. This festival vibrantly reflects the Kerala culture. With the passage of time this temple festival attracts huge masses of devotees to the state of Kerala. The awe-inspiring processions and the dazzling display of fireworks make the state submerge in an ocean of multiple hues.



Payippad Jelotsavam
This widely popular religious festival is observed in the memory for the Prathista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya temple and therefore has a special religious significance attached to it. This festival is celebrated for a consecutive span of three days starting from the day of much-awaited Onam festival. Snake boat processions are taken out on the first two days and on the third day the spectacular and competitive boat race takes place.

Theyyam This is also a very popular festival of Kerala. This festival is observed in the honour of the Mother Goddess. On one hand the worship of deity takes place and on the other hand the dancers are worshipped with utmost veneration. Animals, trees and serpents also figure in worship.

Attukal Pongala Festival
This is the one and the only temple festival where lakhs of women assemble together to make offerings by preparing a pudding for the Goddess in the Attukal Temple. This is indeed one of the most important festivals of Kerela. After the chief priest comes and sprinkle holy water and shower blossoms on the food it is taken home and is distributed among all. The festival ends in the evening with a procession from the people wherein all the locales participate.



Mahashivratri
Mahashivaratri, which happens to be one of the most important festivals of Kerela is celebrated by the Hindus of Kerala in the month of Kumbam or in the months of February/March. It is universally believed that Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison on this day to save the world from destruction. The offerings of special worship and special cultural performances mark the festive celebrations of this special day. The annual Shivratri festival held on the banks of the River Periyar at Alwaye is one of the most spectacular festivals in the state of Kerala.

Navaratri
The festival of Navaratri is celebrated in the state of Kerala by the name of Saraswathy Puja. On this special day all the Malayalis offer their tools and books for worship. Children who are to begin their schooling are made to write the first alphabet in rice with their finger.

Asthami Rohini
This is one of the special festivals of Kerala. It is observed in the honour of Lord Krishna with much devotion and dedication. It is held in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar or in the months of August/September. Devotees from all the corners of the state assemble together and visit the Krishna temples where special worship in the honour of the Lord and cultural programmes are held.

Thiruvathira
This festival is celebrated in Kerala with much ebullience in the month of Dhanu or in the months of December/January according to the English calendar. This festival commemorates the death of the cupid of Hindu mythology, Kamadeva. The aim of the festive celebrations is conjugal harmony and happiness. The popular dance form Thiruvathirkali is associated with the festivities of this popular festival.



Christian Festivals
Christmas
The festival of Christmas is celebrated in the state with much pomp and show. With a large number of Christians residing in the state of Kerala, the festive celebrations during this festival assumes a new color. Chanting of Christmas hymns and carols, setting up of vibrantly decorated Christmas trees in all homes and churches, exchange of cards and receiving presents from the famous Santa Claus are all part of the festivities associated with the birthday of Lord Jesus. A big feast forms a special feature in all the Christian homes. Christmas therefore since ages has becomequite an important festival of Kerela.

Easter
This is another important festival of the Christians in this state. This festival commemorates the resurrection of Lord Jesus and is celebrate with much exuberance in the months of March/April after forty days lent of fast and penance. As a memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which happened 2000 years ago, the Christians go for mid-night mass.



Muslim Festivals
Bakri-Id
This much-awaited Islam festival commemorates the offering of Ibrahim`s only son as a sacrifice in obedience to the commands of the Almighty. The Muslim population of the state enjoys heart feats on this special day. The rich masses sacrifices goats or bullocks and then distributes among friends, relatives and also the poor people. The famous Haj is performed after the celebration of Idul-Azha.

Id-Ul-Fitr
This festival is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when the Muslim community gives up all kind of food and drink during the hours of the day and also spends the major part of the night prayer. This festival is observed by the Muslims of Kerala with much fun frolic. Grand feats including the mouth-watering delicacies form a part of the feasts.

Miladi Sharif
This festival is celebrated in the month of April in Kerala. The festive celebrations mark the birthday of the Prophet. The celebrations of this festival have acquired its present dimensions in the state in the recent times. In the earlier times this day was observed by the Muslim community by reading the short and holy Arabic treatise commonly known as Maulud which celebrates the birth, life, work and sayings of some renowned prophet or saint.

Chandankudam
This is indeed one of the most colourful Muslim festivals of Kerala and is celebrated with much veneration at Beemapally near Thiruvananthpuram. This festival marks the death anniversary of Beema Beeevi, a devout pilgrim who came to Kerala from Mecca. This festival begins on the month of October and lasts for a span of ten days. Thousands of pilgrims go around the mosque and the hallowed tomb of the devout lady in procession carrying earthen pots smeared with sandal wood paste and the mouth being tightly closed with a jasmine garland. In the last place the earthen pot with money is placed at the tomb as an offering.