![]() Each and every festival in South India has an extensive history and exclusive origin, which enhances its value and wonderful significance. Festivals and fairs related to the spiritual sites and temples in India are an essential part of the country’s earliest cultures and traditions. Different Temple Festivals of Southern India ![]() Arattu Festival: The Arattu festival is one of the most important and lively temple fairs in Kerala. Arattu is the closing ceremony of the 10 day long festivities in the temple but since the ceremony takes place at such a magnificent level, it is no less than a full-fledged fair. Vast procession of wonderfully decorated elephants accompanied with drummers, musicians and dancers show a wonderful magnificence of the grand festivities. Attuvela Mahotsavam Festival: One of the very exclusive temple festivals of Kerala, the ‘Attuvela Mahotsavam’ is celebrated in the months of March-April. The festival is a 2 days long occasion and is held at the ‘Elankavu Bhagavathy Temple’ in the Kottayam district of Kerala. Chithirai Thiruvizha Festival: The ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’ festival is the biggest temple fair in Madurai that continues for about 2 weeks. It is celebrated in the month of April at the ‘Meenakshi Amman’ Temple. This festival celebrates the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareshwara. Vairamudi Garudotsava Festival: It is held at the ‘Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple’. The ‘Vairamudi Brahmotsava Festival’ is a vast crowd puller attracting more than 4 lakh pilgrims from all over India and parts of the world. ![]() Thrissur Pooram Festival: Thrissur Pooram is arguably the largest of all temple festivals in Kerala. The southern state is recognized for its antique temples, which carry out grand festivals, whole with musicians and decorated elephants. Makarajyothi Festival: Millions of religious people swarm the gates of the Sabarimala temple to catch one look of their beloved Lord Ayyappa. The best part of this festival is the appearance of a star, the Makarajyothi. Barani Festival: The Barani festival at the ‘Kodungalloor Bhagavathy’ Temple is a stunning event where men and women take out long parades all dressed in red. Vermillion is smeared over the devotees and they dance to the beats of the chenda as they go to worship the Goddess. Attukal Pongala Festival: The Attukal Pongala festival is a 10 day long celebration in tribute of the Goddess Bhagavathy. The goddess is decorated in different ways, called ‘alankarams’ over these days. It is held in Attukal Temple. Alppasi and Painkuni Utsavams: Among the grandest festivals held at the ‘Padmanabhaswamy temple’ of ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ are the bi-annual Alpassi and Painkuni festivals in October and April correspondingly. Both are 10-day long festivals and are marked by impressive processions and cultural events. |
More ArticlesTemple Festivals of Southern India (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Temple Festivals of Southern India