Temple Festivals of Southern India are celebrated in various religious abodes with pomp and show. Southern Region of India consists of mainly four states namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerela. Andhra Pradesh is enamoured with thousands of religious centres, where weekly, monthly or annual Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are held. Every village and town in Andhra Pradesh has some kind of temple or place of worship where religious festivals are held, accompanied by fairs.
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
Some of the Andhra Pradesh temple festivals are of restricted magnitude, while others have a wider significance. Amaravati Srisailam, Tripurantakam, Kaleswaram, Daksharamam, Kalahasti vemulavada and Inavole are the most important Saiva Kshetras and Srikurmam, Simhachalam, Nellore, Tirupati, Ahobilam, Srikakulam yadagiri, Bhadrachalam and Mangalagiri are the most important Vaishnava Kshetras or religious sites in the state. Following are the 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.
Kotappakonda Temple Fair: The well-known "Kotappakonda Temple Fair" is held every year on the eve of Maha Shivratri in February. Thousands of devotees swarm the temple with decorated and lighted prabhas in their hands as an offering to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple.
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.
