Temple festivals of Kerala are the numerable religious festivals which are observed in several regional temples of this southern Indian state. Generally, such festivals continue for several days, being conducted on certain particular days of the year, along with elaborate traditions and customs. One of the interesting features of such temple festivals is the hoisting of a flag which is put down on the last day of the festival. `Poorams` are some of the temple festivals of Kerala and it is believed that `Thrissur Pooram` is the most reputed of such festive events. Some of the popular temple festivals include Ambalapuzha Arattu Festival, Ashtami Festival, Chittur Konganpada Festival, Sundareswara Temple Festival and others.

Arattu Festival of Kerala
The 10-day festival of Arattu is held in the Lord Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Every year, two Arattu festivals are organised, one of which is observed during March to April (`Meenam`) and the other during the period from October to November (`Thulam`). The festival signifies the sacred procession of Lord Padmanabha for taking a holy dip in the sea, at the conclusion of the festival.

Ambalapuzha Arattu Festival of Kerala
Ambalapuzha Arattu Festival is celebrated with the hoisting of the holy flag on the day of the `Atham` in Meenam month which constitutes the period from March till April. `Velakali` is an impressive ritual of this temple festival which occurs on the `Thiruvonam` day of Meenam month.

Aranmula Uthrittathi Festival of Kerala
The festival of Aranmula Uthrittathi is celebrated in Pathanamthitta and is a brilliant snake carnival held at Pampa in Aranmula to mark the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on this very day. It is conducted on the special day of `Uthrittathi` and is related to Onam. Presently, the festival is supervised by Palli Oda Seva Sangham.

Ashtami Festival of Kerala
Lasting for 12 days, the Ashtami Festival is organised in the Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom in Kottayam District, during the time from November to December which is also referred to as `Vrischikam`. St night, the holy deities of the nearby temples are ushered into this temple amidst immense glory.

Attukal Ponkala Festival of Kerala
The Attukal Ponkala festival, celebrated in the old Bhagavathy Temple at Attukal, Thiruvanthapuram is said to be the most significant temple festival of this temple and is observed for nine days. It starts on the day of `Bharani` in `Kumbhom` in the period from February to March. `Ponkala` is offered on the final day of the festival.

Chettikulangra Bharani Festival of Kerala
Observed during February to March, Chettikulangra Bharani festival is held at the Chettikulangra Temple of Kerala which is believed to be amongst the most noted Devi temples here. This temple is thronged by innumerable devotees during this festival.

Chittur Konganpada Festival of Kerala
Chittur Konganpada festival is a famous temple festival celebrated in the premises of the ancient Bhagavathy Temple located at a distance of nearly 10 kms away from the town of Palakkad. The festival is observed during February to March, to honour the victory of the Nairs of Chittur over the army of Konganadu or Coimbatore.

Ettumanoor Festival of Kerala
Millions of pilgrims visit the Shiva temple of Kottayam town during Ettumanoor Festival which is said to have been the very temple wherein sage Vyasa and the Pandavas had worshipped. The festival is conducted on `Thiruvathira` day during February to March.

Haripad Festival of Kerala
Haripad Temple Festival of Sree Subrahmania Swamy Temple, Haripad comprises the Chithura Festival which is the most crucial, amongst many other festivals. Such festivals are observed in Medom month, which constitutes the period from April to May.

Sundareswara Festival of Kerala
Continuing for eight days, Sundareswara Temple Festival is held in the period from March to April in the Sundareswara Temple which was established in the year 1916 by Sree Narayana Guru. People belonging to any caste, religion or creed are permitted to participate in this festival.

Thrissur Pooram Festival of Kerala
Revered as the most attractive temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is celebrated during the period from April to May and involves grand processions of richly adorned and caparisoned elephants from numerable neighbouring temples to Thrissur`s Vadakunnatha Temple. Sakthan Thampuran, the king of erstwhile Kochi region had initiated this festival, which is characterised by the bright exhibition of fireworks and crackers.

Kalpathy Ratholsavam Festival of Kerala
Also known as the `Kalpathi Chariot Festival`, Kalpathy Ratholsavam Festival is an important Hindu festival held in the village of Kalpathy in Palakkad District, particularly at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy Temple. It is held for 10 days and is observed during November.

Padayeni Festival of Kerala
The beautiful cultural heritage of villages based in Kerala is artistically portrayed through the Padayeni Utsavam of the Bhagavathikkavu, held at Nilamperoor village in Kuttanad Taluka, Changanassery Municipal town. A ritual dance-form called `Kolamthullal` is practised apart from the creation of `Kolamkettu` or effigies.

Other Temple Festivals of Kerala
Kerala is home to several other temple festivals which are organised at different local temples of the districts and villages situated in this Indian state. They consist of the Guruvayoor Temple Festivals at Thrissur, Koodalmanickam Utsavam, Thrissur, Lokanarkavu Utsavam at Kozhikode, Mannarsala Ayillam at Alapuzzha, Nellikulangara Vella at Palakkad, Chinakathoor Pooram at Palakkad, Sivagiri Mutt at Thiruvananthapuram, Trichambaram Utsavam at Kannur, Uthra Seeveli at Pathanamthitta and Varkala Janardhanaswamy Temple Festival at Thiruvananthapuram.