 Kerala
is a land of festivals like any other part
of the country. Most of the festivals celebrated
in the county as a whole are celebrated
here as well. Adding to this list is a host
of festivals that is typical of the state.
Perhaps the most important festival that
is celebrated by Keralites alike is the
festival of onam. According to mythology
Kerala was a prosperous land under the Asura
king Mahabali who was sent to the infernal
land by Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of
Vamana. It is believed that Mahabali requested
the Lord to grant him a last wish which
was to let him visit his citizens once a
year. It is believed that it is during this
time of Onam that Mahabali visits his beloved
people. The houses are decorated with flower
carpets to welcome the King and a grand
lunch is prepared in every house.
A lot of fairs and festivals are associated
with Onam like the annual boat race held
in Punnamada Kayal. The Aranmula and Champakulam
races are also celebrated with a lot of
religious fervor. The Malayalee New Year
Vishu, festivals like Sivaratri and Navarathri
along with Thrikarthika and Thiruvathira
are celebrated with a lot of passion. The
Thrissur Pooram is another festival that
is celebrated with a lot of pomp and ceremony.
The grand procession of decorated elephants
is a glorious sight.
The Christian religious festivals include
Christmas and Easter whish is celebrated
throughout the stat. Apart from these there
are individual fairs and festivals in the
various churches across the state.
Bakrid, Id Ul Fitr, Miladi Sherif and Muharram
are celebrated with full fervor like any
where else in the world. One of Muslim festival
that is specific to Kerala is the Chandankudam
at Beemapally near Trivandrum.
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