19-12-2024Experience Festivals of Kerala: Onam, Pooram, and More
Kerala is a land of colorful culture and traditions, and festivals play a central role in its identity. Some of the famous Kerala festivals include Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Attukal, and Christmas. Festivals of Kerala reflect the rich culture and spiritual essence of the region.
In this TripzyGo guide, we will explore the 25 famous festivals in Kerala and their story. Expect to learn about the rich history, unique rituals, and celebrations that define Kerala’s festive spirit.
List of Famous Festivals of Kerala
- Onam
- Thrissur Pooram
- Pongala Festival
- Navarathri Festival
- Makaravilakku Festival
- Kerala Village Fair
- Aluva Sivarathri Festival
- Vishu Festival
- Easter Festival
- Thiruvathira Festival
- Chandanakudam Mahotsavam
- Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival
- Thaipooyam Mahotsavam, Haripad
- Machattu Mamangam
- Ezhara Ponnana
- Chettikulanagara Bharani
- Christmas
- Guruvayur Anayottam
- Kodungalloor Bharani
- Pulikali
- Athachamayam
- Ochira Kali
- Vaishaka Mahotsavam
- Arattu at Trivandrum
- Aranmula Boat Race
Kerala’s festival list is a celebration of tradition, culture, and spirituality. From Onam to the peaceful Christmas celebrations, each famous festival in Kerala is filled with rich heritage. With colorful dances, feasts, and deep-rooted rituals, these traditional festivals of Kerala unite people from all corners:
Onam
The month of celebration: Between August and September
Onam is a harvest festival of Kerala. It is celebrated in the month of Malayalam in Chingam. The key day of Onam is also known as Thiruvonam in Kerala. In 2025, the day falls on September 5, though the celebration spans ten days. Onam honors the mythical King Mahabali’s annual return. He symbolizes prosperity and happiness.
The festivities include colorful floral arrangements (Pookalam) and elaborate feasts (Onasadya). It includes the snake boat races (Vallamkali) and traditional dances like Kathakali. According to legend, Mahabali, the king, was sent to the underworld by Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar. He was granted a yearly visit to his land, celebrated as Onam.
Thrissur Pooram
The month of celebration: Malayalam’s month- Medam (April-May)
Thrissur Pooram is known as the “Mother of all Poorams” and is celebrated at Thekkinkadu Maidanam. During the festival, people adorned elephants, and there was a rhythmic Kadamattom parason exchange. It also features mesmerizing Ilanjithara Melam with traditional orchestras. The festival ends with fireworks, uniting people in a vibrant cultural spectacle.
Attukal Pongala Festival
The month of celebration: Malayalam month- Makaram-Kumbham (February-March)
Attukal Pongala, one of the festivals of Kerala, is a ten-day-long festival. It is celebrated annually at the Attukal Bhagvathi Temple. It is the largest gathering of women for religious events. Women prepare Pongala, a sweet dish in earth pots as a parashad for goddess Bhagavathy. The celebration includes rituals, music, and prayers, culminating in the main ceremony where women from all backgrounds unite.
Navarathri Festival
The month of celebration: September-October
Navarathri is celebrated in September-October. It is a major Hindu festival honoring the 9 forms of Goddess Durga. It includes special rituals like Puja Veppu on Durgashtami, Saraswati worship on Mahanavami, and the restart of work and studies on Vijaya Dashmi.
Makaravilakku Festival
The month of celebration: January 14
The Makaravilakku festival is celebrated in mid-January. It marks the rise of the Makara star and the divine Makara Jyothi at Ponnambalamedu. Some rituals like Kalamezhuthu Pattu, Nayattu Vili, and Guruthi are performed. The grand procession, filled with music and flags, ends solemnly with Lord Ayyappa’s silent return.
Kerala Village Fair
The month of celebration: January
The Kerala Village Fair is also known as Gramam. It is a vibrant 10-day festival held every January in Kovalam. During the festival, people recreate a traditional Kerala village with music, dance, ethnic wear, and handicrafts. This festival offers a beautiful glimpse into the culture and old traditions of Kerala.
Aluva Sivarathri Festival
The month of celebration: February-March
Aluva Shivratri is celebrated in February-March. This is one of the famous festivals in Kerala that takes place on the serene banks of the Periyar River in Aluva. Devotees stay awake through the night and read Puranas to honor Lord Shiva. At dawn, devotees perform some special rituals, such as Bali. You will also get a chance to enjoy a lively trade fair in the daytime.
Vishu Festival
The month of celebration: First day of the Malayalam month of Medam, April 14, 2025
Vishu is celebrated as the Malayali New Year and the arrival of spring. The day begins with Vishukkani. It is a beautiful offering of flowers, fruits, and coins that is believed to bring prosperity. The celebration of this festival includes a grand Sadhya feast and fireworks, and children get gifts and Kaineettam (coins) from elders.
Easter Festival
The month of celebration: In the month of April, soon after the Good Friday
Easter festival is one of the most famous festivals in Kerala that is rooted deeply in spirituality. It begins with Lent, a 40-day fasting period. The holy week starts with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem; on Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper and washing of feet take place.
Good Friday celebrates Jesus’s crucifixion with prayers and fasting. Holy Saturday is silent, with midnight prayers and candle lighting that symbolize resurrection. Finally, Easter Sunday is celebrated with joy, prayers, and feasts.
Thiruvathira Festival
The month of celebration: In Dhanu month (December-January)
Thiruvathira festival is a women’s festival. This Kerala festival honors Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance that symbolizes creation and destruction. Women keep fast and perform the beautiful Thiruvathiakali dance. They pray for the well-being and marital happiness of their husbands, making it a celebration of love and devotion.
Chandanakudam Mahotsavam
The month of celebration: February 20, 2025
Chandanakudam Mahotsavam is also known as the Beemapally Uroos. The celebration goes on for 11 days and is held annually at Beemapally Dargah Shareef in Thiruvananthapuram.
Devotees offer sandalwood-covered pots filled with coins that symbolize faith and purity. The grand final day, filled with passion and various lively art forms, creates a spiritual experience.
Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival
The month of celebration: End of January
The Nishagandhi Dance Festival in Kerala is a week-long celebration of classical dance. Famous artists performed various stunning performances in Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, and Kathakali. At the end of the festival, dancers are honored with the Nishagandhi Puraskaram.
Thaipooyam Mahotsavam, Harippad
The month of celebration: In January or February
This famous festival in Kerala is celebrated at the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Harippad. It honors Lord Subrahmanaya with Kavadiyattom performances. Devotees, dressed in yellow saffron, carried decorated Kavadis and performed a dance.
Some people pierce their cheeks as an offering. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Subrahmanya over the demon Tharakasura. It ends with fireworks, caparisoned elephants, and a grand procession.
Machattu Mamangam
The month of celebration: February
Machattu Mamangam, one of the vibrant festivals of Kerala, is celebrated at the Machattu Thiruvanikavu Temple in Vadakkencherry. The five-day festival includes grand Kuthirakulam, traditional Chendamelam, and cultural performances.
The main event, the Kuthira Vela, takes place on the Tuesday after the first Friday or Kumbham. A mix of culture and spirit make it a must-see celebration.
Ezhara Ponnana
The month of celebration: February-March
Ezhara Ponnana is celebrated at Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam. The main highlight of the festival is the procession of seven-and-a-half golden elephants on the eighth day. It is followed by the Aaraattu ceremony. The festival includes traditional music and cultural performances.
Chettikulanagara Bharani
The month of celebration: February-March
Chettikulangara Bharani is celebrated in Mavelikara and it is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The entire town comes alive with folk performances, colorful processions, and traditional dance. People gather for spectacular rituals, including the Kuthiyottam dance.
Christmas
The month of celebration: December 25
When we talk about the Christmas celebration in India, Kerala comes to mind. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and reflects the Christian heritage in Kerala. Churches are beautifully decorated, and the midnight mass dressed in white highlights the Christian family. Traditional Kerala Christmas delicacies are prepared, and carols fill the air with a festive atmosphere.
Guruvayur Anayottam
The month of celebration: Malayalam month of Kumbham, February-March
The Guruvayur Anayottam is an exciting elephant race to win. It takes place at Guruvayur Shree Krishna Temple. People win the elephant race to win the honor of carrying the temple’ idol’s replica. Filled with devotion, history, and energy, this festival is one of the must-experience traditions in Kerala.
Kodungalloor Bharani
The month of celebration: Malayalam month- Meenam (March-April)
The Kodungalloor Bharani is held at Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur. This is a unique festival deeply rooted in tradition. Some famous rituals like Kozhikkallu Moodal and the Aswathy Kavutheendal. During this Kerala festival, oracles in red robes perform a dance in a trance. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, and this festival reflects the cultural roots of Kerala.
Pulikali
The month of celebration: Celebrated on the fourth day of Onam
Pulikali, or Tiger Dance, is a folk art performance filled with colors during Onam in Thrissur. Artists paint themselves like tigers with bold yellow, red, and black stripes. They all dance on the beats of traditional drums like Thakil and Chenda. This is one of the oldest festivals of Kerala and has been celebrated for over 200 years. It reflects Kerala’s unique and vibrant culture and draws the crowd’s attention.
Athachamayam
The month of celebration: Malayalam month of Chingam (August/September)
Athachamayam is the grand beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in Kerala. This is one of the famous festivals in Kerala, and it honors the victory of the Raja of Kochi with a grand procession. The festival includes folk art, caparisoned elephants, and musical performances. It symbolizes Kerala’s cultural richness, royal legacy, and religious harmony.
Ochira Kali
The month of celebration: Malayalam month of Mithunam (June)
Ochira Kali is one of the unique festivals of Kerala, celebrated in mid-June at the Ochira Parabrahma Temple. The festival takes place in a waterlogged field, and men and boys engage in a playful mock battle to honor a historic fight between the Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha kingdoms. With traditional attire and spirited combat, it is a celebration of history and community.
Vaishaka Mahotsavam
The month of celebration: Typically between May and June
Vaishaka Mahotsavam is held at the Kottiyoor temples in Kannur. It is one of the longest festivals of Kerala, celebrated 28 days long, marking the legendary Daksha Yaga site. Devotees worship a self-created Shiva Lingam on a natural stone platform with rituals like Elaneer Vayppu (offering tender coconut water) and Rohini Aradhana. This festival in Kerala is a perfect blend of devotion, myth, and nature’s beauty.
Arattu at Trivandrum
The month of celebration: March
Pallivetta and Arattu are key rituals at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. During Pallivetta, the royal family head symbolically hunts evil. The Arattue features a grand procession and ritual sea bath for the idols, preserving centuries-old traditions.
Aranmula Uthrattathi, Boat Race
The month of celebration: Malayalam month: Chingam (between August 15 and September 20)
The Aranmula Boat Race takes place at the Uthrittathi asterism in Kerala. This Kerala festival is a grand cultural and religious event. This festival honors Lord Krishna and commemorates local legends.
The race features unique Palliyodams, traditional songs, and vibrant celebrations along the Pamba River. This festival in Kerala highlights Kerala’s Onam celebrations, which blend heritage and spirituality.
Enjoy Famous Festivals in Kerala
The Festivals of Kerala, from Onam to Boat Race, reflect its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Celebrating with grand and traditional dances, delicious feats, and vibrant rituals, these Kerala festivals bring people together in joy.
If you want to experience the beauty and vibrancy of a festival in Kerala firsthand, consider a family vacation with TripzyGo. The 7-day family vacation in Kerala package offers the perfect opportunity to explore Kerala’s heritage, scenic landscapes, and colorful celebrations. Book now and experience the vibrant colors of Kerala with TripzyGo!