FESTIVALS

ONAM

ONAM, the harvest festival, is celebrated annually throughout Kerala during August-September. In short, Onam means flowers, 'onakkodi' (New clothes), sumptuous feats on plantain leaves with 'avial'', 'pappadum' 'pazham' (Plantation fruit), 'payasams' onappoo-ada and swinging under the mango tree, days spent collecting those elusive flowers for pookalam (floral arrangement) and evenings dancing with neighbourhood children wearing tiger masks, called pulikkali. Onam as the most colourful and the principal festival of the most colourful and the principal festival of the region which cuts across all religious and communal barriers.

Onam heralds the harvest festival and is also according to folklore the time of the year when the king Mahabali, the legendary ruler of an ancient golden era in Kerala, returns from the depths of the nether world to visit his beloved subjects. It is an unusual festival, in the sense that it reverses the memory of the local 'asura' (demon) king, Mahabali (who is also affectionately called Maveli or Onathappan), whom Lord Vishnu coming down to earth as Vamanan, a Brahmin boy, cleverly exploited the very benevolence of this great king to oust him from his kingdom.

So attached was the king to his country and subjects, that he asked for and was granted permission to visit his subjects once every year. Onam is considered to be that day on which King Mahabali comes top visit the beloved subjects of his kingdom. Houses are cleaned, everyone wears the new Onam clothes (Onakkodi) they have received and floral decorations are put to give a fitting welcome to the beloved ruler during whose rule the kingdom was said to have been at its glorious.

Legend has it that the gods became jealous of the king because he was so well adored and loved by his subjects that Indran, the king of the devas felt that his position was under threat due to the immense popularity enjoyed by Mahabali among his subjects. So he requested Lord Vishnu's help whereby the lord devised a scheme to get rid of Mahabali and sent him into exile in the nether world. Lord vishnu came down to earth in the guise of Vamanan, a poor Brahmin boy and requested the ever benevolent king for three foot measures of land to meditate upon. The king asked Vamana to measure and take the same from anywhere he wanted. On getting the king's permission. Lord Vishnu transforms into his cosmic form and covers the earth and all the other worlds in his first two root measures and asks the king where he should get his third foot measure of space from.

The king being a man of great honour could not even think of going back on his word and offered his own very head whereby lord Vishnu' put his foot over the king's head and pushed him down to 'patalam'. Before being sent down, the king requested Lord Vishnu permission to visit his country and people and was given permission to return to his people one each year. It is this occasion of Mahabali's annual visit that is celebrated as Onam.

A grandiose welcome is prepared everywhere for this annual visit. Dances and songs proclaim the glorious reign of the Mahabali, when perfect harmony and joy prevailed all over the kingdom. Elaborate carpets of flowers called 'pookkalam' is laid out on floors and streets all over state. The whole region takes an a carnival atmosphere with games, compitetions, processions and what not being organised everywhere. The traders and shops vie with each other to attract the Onam shop-pers.

The festival brings miraculously to life quite a few rare and some near extinct forms of folklore in different regions of the State. Some of these are 'kaikottikkaali' 'thiruvathirakkali' 'vallomkali' 'pulikkali' 'onathullu' Kummattikkali. and many other localised folklore forms. there are also several traditional rituals and functions of a religious nature associated with the festival. In fact the traditional celebration and gaiety for which this festival is known may be attributed to these myriad and rustic forms of art that continue to enjoy an intimate relationship with life functions and nurtures social amity.

Onam is a great time to be in Kerala, as this beautifully lush green region combines a celebration of its warring and seafaring traditions with festivities honouring the ancient asura king Mahabali, Kaikottikkali is a folk dance form performed by the women all over the State during Onam with clapping of hands by the performers. Pulikkali (meaning tiger dance) is performed by men on the streets and visiting houses wearing masks resembling tigers, lions and other animals in return for which they are showered with gifts. Vallomkali is another cultural activity during the Onam time which is very popular in the plains with access to the backwaters. In this, snake boats(called chundan volloms) manned by terms of around a hundred oarsssmen from neighbouring local villages, rowing to the rhythms of cymbals and drums, race in thrilling contests at Aranmula, Champakulam and Kottayam in Kerala.

As these beautifully decorated snake boats race through Kerala's stately backwaters, its shorelines come alive with several days of feasting and harvest celebrations.

In some areas of the state, vibrant processions with resplendently caparisoned elephants are taken out. In Trichur, even as Onam is still almost a month away, preparations begin for staging the non-ritualistic masked dance of Kummattikkali Pulikali or leopard dance is another of Onam'es special shows. Bodies painted with dots and fitted with appendages to resemble leopards, male dancers jump, roar and somersault to mimic the agility of the big feline. It is essentially a road show.

Accompanied by drummers they drift through towns performing at busy junctions to please bemused crowds. Kalayottom - bullock racing - was another crowd pulling Onam celebration. Pairs of bullocks were raced in the farmland at a hair-raising pace. Once again the recurring highlight of these outdoor amusements was the unmistakable presence of the agricultural farm and animals as the principal characters involved alongside man.

Going back to the golden era of Onam, little girls and young women would enjoy the brisk sway on the swings hung out from every tree that was sturdy and had a suitable branch. Swaying up in the healthy spring air the maiden's hearts would grow light, and romantic. Naturally, Onappattu - Onam-songs from the background score for this dream-like pastime. Older women would engage themselves in the flock dance themselves in the flock dance form Kaikottikkali. Interestingly, during those times women's entertainment was before an all-female audience.

Courtesy: The Hindu 

DEEPAVALI

Deepavali or Diwali means "a row of lights".It falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October-November).For some it is a three-day festival.

It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.

The legend behind this festival is that Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace. Seeing his wickedness, Lord Krishna set out to destroy the demon and the day Narakasura died was celebrated as Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil!

The Hindus usually awake early in the morning of deepavali around the brahmamuhurtam (3am) and the first ritual will be having an oil bath, which is an important feature of Deepavali. Hindus will be dressed in their new clothes on Deepavali.

EASTER

Easter is a time of springtime festivals held sometime between March 22 and April 25. Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

As with almost all "Christian" holidays, Easter has been secularized and commercialized. The dichotomous nature of Easter and its symbols, however, is not necessarily a modern fabrication.

Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century, Easter has had its non-religious side. In fact, Easter was originally a pagan festival.

The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity. They did so, however, in a clandestine manner.

It would have been suicide for the very early Christian converts to celebrate their holy days with observances that did not coincide with celebrations that already existed. To save lives, the missionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.

As it happened, the pagan festival of Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.

Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, a caveat must be introduced here.

The "full moon" in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical "vernal equinox" is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.

Lent is the forty-six day period just prior to Easter Sunday. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is a celebration, sometimes called "Carnival," practiced around the world, on the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. It was designed as a way to "get it all out" before the sacrifices of Lent began. New Orleans is the focal point of Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S. Read about the religious meanings of the Lenten Season.

The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.

The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time.

As with the Easter Bunny and the holiday itself, the Easter Egg predates the Christian holiday of Easter. The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter was first celebrated by Christians.

From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain flowers.

Today, children hunt colored eggs and place them in Easter baskets along with the modern version of real Easter eggs -- those made of plastic or chocolate candy.

The houses would be decorated with oil lamps and children will play with firecrackers to celebrate the festival. On the first day, they would not go visiting but would stay at home to welcome the guests who visit them.

Deepavali may have deeper significance than what is popularly believed. At the time of the festival the sun is in the house of Thulam (Libra ie. the scales) which signifies commerce, and hence the association of Deepavali with merchants and the Goddess of wealth. The darkness and light symbolize ignorance and knowledge respectively.

RAMADAN

Idul-Fitr, of late known by the misnomer 'Ramadan' is one of the two festivals of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year.

During this month the Muslims observe fast, giving up all kinds of food and drink during day time, and spend the major part of the night in devotion and prayer. Purification of the body and soul is the main aim of this observance.

When the crescent appears on the western horizon heralding the end of the month of fasting, it marks the beginning of the Idul-Fitr festival. Because this festival is connected with the month of Ramadan, it came to be known as 'Ramadan'. The Idul-Fitr festival starts with the commencement of the first day of the month of 'Shawwal'.

The first item of the celebration is distribution of food materials to the poor and the deserving. Any person who holds food in excess of the day's need must necessarily make his contribution in accordance with the scales prescribed by Islam. Muslims all over the world celebrate this festival with great éclat and in gratitude to God.

In the morning men, women and children cleanse their bodies, put on the best attire and proceed to the mosque or the Id-Gah. The assembled Muslims gathering then offers the congregational prayer led by the Imam. After the prayers the Imam delivers the sermon pointing out the extreme importance of the occasion. Returning home after the ceremonial functions, they visit friends and relatives. Some make it a point to visit the graves of close relatives, on this day.

In certain parts of Kerala, for instance Chavakkad, Muslim women, dressed in their best clothes and wearing jewelery, celebrate this occasion by paying visits to neighbors and engaging in entertainments. The women org anise themselves into groups and spend the time in singing and dancing.

Recently in certain parts of Kerala new practices is connection with the celebration of this festival have been introduced. One of the novel features of the Id celebration is to invite members of the sister communities to participate in such function.

MILADI SHERIF (BARAH WAFAT)

Miladi Sharif or barah wafat, the Birthday celebration of Prophet Mohammed, is a major Muslim festival in Kerala which falls on the 20th of April.

The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Muslim year. His death anniversary also falls on the same day, the word 'barah' standing for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness.

During these days, sermons are delivered in mosques by learned men, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet, night-long discourses are conducted by Muslim Ulemas on various aspects of the life of the Prophet. Thus through the celebrations connected with the Miladi Sherif, the Muslim masses get an opportunity to be enlightened on the life and teachings of the Prophet.

Reading what is commonly known as the 'Maulod' which is a short biography of the Prophet written both in verse and prose in the Arabic language has been the common ritual of the day.

The celebration of the Miladi Sherif in certain parts of the State, for instance Ponnani, is marked by busy activity connected with large scale feeding of the poor. Here in the Muslim Centre, one finds that the town is active during the whole night busily engaged in the charitable work of supplying food to the poor.

Recently Miladi Sherif celebration has assumed greater importance in Kerala. Colorful processions are also held through the towns reciting Thakbir which finally converge on some central place where public meetings are held. These public gatherings are addressed by well-known speakers who deal with the various aspects of the Prophet's life. 

BAKRID

This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India is celebrated all over the country. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hagg, the last month of the lunar year.

On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God.

According to Islamic belief, to test Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.

In Kerala as in other parts of the world, this day dawns with the resounding of Thakbir (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that God is great. Every Muslim house wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity. Men, women and children, dress themselves in their best attire and reciting the Thakbir, proceed to the Id-Gah which is the wide open space set apart for public prayers.

The whole atmosphere is filled with the resonance of "Allahu-Akbar". The Assembly then prepares for the congregational prayer led by the Imam. After the ceremonial Id prayer, the leader addresses the devotees, exhorting them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Abraham.

With the completion of the prayer and the sermon, the gathering exchange greetings and as an expression of affectionate brotherhood, hug each other.The festivity continues at homes with celebratory feasts and social visits.

Muslim women in Kerala pay visits to the neighboring homes and take part in singing and dancing. In the evenings, special meetings are held in which members of non-Islamic communities participate. Such meetings are perfect examples of the spirit of tolerance and mutual friendship that exist between communities in the state.

MUHARRAM

Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of Muharram the forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.

It was on this day that the most lamentable carnage at Kerala took place in 680 AD when Imman Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet and his men met with their end in an agonizing manner.

Profusely decorated taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's tomb), embellished with gilt and mica are carried through city streets. Mourners beat their breasts lamenting and grieving over the murder, accompanied by drum beats. Wrestlers and dancers enact scenes depicting the battle at Kabala and at each step young men beat their breasts crying "Hussain! Hussain!" in collective sorrow.

On this day the Jews observe fast. The Prophet enjoined on the Muslims to observe fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. It was to commemorate the victory of the Jews over Pharaoh that fasting was enjoined upon Muslims on these days.

For the Shia Muslims, Muharram is an important occasion for religious ceremony. The Sunni Muslims do not celebrate Muharram, but the devout Muslims among them observe fast.

`Pulikali' or `Tiger-dance' is part of this celebration in Kerala. Some Muslims assume the guise of tiger by painting their whole body to bring out the appearance of tiger, wear masks and parade through streets, playing, dancing and mimicking a tiger. This is done to idealize the valour of Hussain.

 Church Festivals

Arthunkal Feast

St. Andrew's Forance Church at Arthunkal, one of the sacred churches in Kerala, attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State.

The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year.Owing to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and the resultant confusion on January 20 the final day of the feast, the church authorities have instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast. This is known as Ettamperunnal. Of late this feast also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 22 kms away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 kms away from Alappuzha.

Edappally Perunal

Every year 'Forty hour devotion' marks the commencement of the festival. The festival begins on the 23rd of April with solemn High Mass and Litany. On the 25th flag is hoisted solemnly and ceremoniously 

Koratty Feast

About seven kilometers to the south of Chalakudy, there is an ancient and beautiful village called Koratty. There is an old catholic church there built in honour of St. Mary which is locally known as "Koratty Muthy's Church".

The most important festival in this church is the 'Koratty Muthy's festival celebrated during the second week of October every year.

  

Niranam Festival

Of all the places hallowed in the annals of Christianity in India, Niranam holds pride of place.

In social, cultural, literary and political matters, this small village has kept up its own distinctive, pristine traditions.

The fame of Niranam must have reached Syria and weighed most with St. Thomas. He is believed to have visited Niranam in 53AD, erected a crucifix, founded and built a church on the site.

The main religious festival is in honour of the Holy Mother on August 15. Special mass is held on that day. The birthday of St. Mary is celebrated on a grand scale on 8th September. The feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on 3rd July. 

Maramon Convention

Maramon and Kozhencherry , on the banks of the river Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Tiruvalla, have for centuries been recognized as centres of Christian culture and influence.

Maramon is also famous as the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century. This village which developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue of a religious gathering known as Maramon convention, said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia.

It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river Pampa below the Kozhenchery bridge that the Maramon Convention is held every year.

The Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of Church in Kerala. It fosters ecumenical outlook. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands.

The 111th edition of Maramon Convention, billed as Asia's largest annual Christian congregation, will be held on the sand-bed of the Pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry from February 19 to 26. The convention is organised by the Mar Thoma Evangelical Association (MTEA), the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar.

Fr. Mathew said that Mar Thoma Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostom would inaugurate the convention at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday. Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan, Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan and other bishops of the Church will lead different sessions during the week-long meet. He said there would be three main sessions, at 10.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 7 p.m., from February 20 to 25 and the valedictory session would be held at 2.30 p.m. on February 26. Evangelists Bishop David J.L. Hawkins (England), Bill Newman (Australia), Martin Alphons (U.S.) and Sam Kamalesan (U.S.) will deliver discourses at different sessions. An ecumenical meeting will be held at 10.30 a.m. and a meeting against social evils at 2.30 p.m. on February 22.

The Voluntary Evangelistic Association meeting will be held on February 23 afternoon.

The annual meeting of the Mar Thoma Sevika Sanghom will be held at 2.30 p.m. on February 24 and a missionary meet on Saturday afternoon. 

Vettukad Festival

 

The most important feast celebrated in this church situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram is of Christ, the King. This feast is observed for ten days. The annual festival at the Madre-de-Deus church, Vettucaud will start on November 11 with a Holy Mass and the raising of the ceremonial flag.
Prayer meetings and rituals will mark the 10-day festival. Tens of thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the Holy Mass on November 18 and the procession carrying the figure of Christ-the-King on November 19. The festival will draw to close on November 20 with a Mass.

On the tenth day, after the vespers in the church, there is a procession which goes round the parish lasting for about 1 ½ hours. On the final day there will be a solemn high mass, sermon, eucharistic procession and benediction. The attendance for this feast is well over 50,000. 

 

Bharanamganam Feast 

 

Bharanamganam, a small village town in Meenachal Taluk of Kottayam District, has been famous for long as one of the hallowed places in Kerala.

It is about 14 miles from the Ettumanoor railway station. Bharabangaban has always been a refuge of the afflicted and the miserable as well as of the faithful.

It is here that the famous St. Mary's Forance Church, one of the oldest churches in Kerala dedicated to the Holy Mother, stands, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. The important annual festivals of this church are the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on the 9th of November, and the Feast of St. Sebastian on the 20th of January. 

Kadamattom Feast

Mainly two feasts are celebrated in this church, one on the 24th and 25th of Makaram (January-February) and the other on 23rd of Medam (April-May). The former is the most important.

Malayattur Feast

 

St. Thomas shrine at Malayattur a village about six miles to the north of Kaladi, Ernakulam District is believed to be one of the ancient catholic shrines in the northern part of the state.

The chief festival at the shrine falls on the second Sunday, since the first moon, after the Vernal Equinox (March 21). The Feast, therefore, falls generally in the month of April or at times in the last week of March. The Octave is celebrated on the following Sunday. The pilgrims have to climb a hill nearly 2000 feet high and on top of it is the church.

Rakkuli Thirunal

Rakkuli Thirunal is the terminology of Common parlance to denote the feast of Epiphany celebrated every year on the 6th January in the St. Thomas Cathedral Church at Pala. It has been the occasion of a vast fair where articles of every necessity are exhibited for sale.

Feast At St. Joseph's Shrine

The annual feast at the shrine of St. Joseph is celebrated on the last Sunday of January.

EDATHUA FESTIVAL

The St. George's church at Edathua stands on the bank of the river Pampa, sixteen miles southeast Alappuzha. This church is famous for the feast of St. George celebrated every year in the month of Medam (April-May).

It takes place from 27th April till 7th of May. Though the festival lasts for 11 days, only last couple of days carry all the aspects of a major festival. Hence calendars reckon the 6th of May as the feast day.

During the feast at Edathua Church, the statue of St. George, decked in gold is carried out in procession and placed on the dais at the centre of the Basilica. Processions are held everyday and dazzling fireworks are the major highlight of the initial as well as the concluding day's rituals.

KALLOOPPARA PERUNAL

St.Mary's Church at Kallooppara stands in close proximity to the Kallooppara Bhagavathy temple. Inside the church, on its eastern and western wings, there are two granite slabs with some inscriptions in the Pali language.

The Palli perunal and the foundation day of the Church are the two celebrations held on January 15 and July 5 respectively.
 <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="#outer-wrapper"><b>Back to TOP</b></a>