MALAYATTUR FEAST


Malayattur is a village about six miles to the north¬east of Kaladi, the birth place of the Hindu philosopher Sri Sankara. Situated on the banks of the Periyar and covered with thick hills, it is rightly called Malayattur. The rich scenery of the surging mountains and crys¬tal waters of the Periyar is an attraction for all kinds of pilgrims





St. Thomas shrine at Malayattur is believed to be one of the ancient catholic shrines in the northern part of the State. The chief festival at the shrine is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter that is 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 follow¬ing Sunday. The pilgrims have to climb a hill nearly 2000 feet high and on top of it is the church. It is only a small sanctuary, a very plain building with no artis¬tic attraction. The pilgrims chant prayers as they climb up and down the hill. The Grand Father whom the pilgrims invoke in their prayers is none other than St. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. It is now admitted by a vast majority of writers that St. Thomas preached Christianity in India and erected seven churches and crosses in Malabar.
During the days of the festival, ceremonies are held in the open air. A visit to the shrine of Malayattur during the festival days is very interesting, be he a Christian or a non-Christian. So inspiring is the scenery of the hill and dale which seem to sing the glory of the Creator.

For ages, Keralites have cherished a reverential attitude to rivers. When the weather becomes delightfully pleasant and the nature exults in her full glory. it is the apt time for Keralites to hold the Jalotsavam (water-carnivals). Boat race is in a way a display of physical might of the people who forget their differences in partaking in this sport. In that respect, the boat race is symbolic of the Jalotsavams in Kerala. The most famous is the Aranmula Snake Boat Race conducted on the Uthrittathi day of Chingom (August September). On Thiruvonam day in Chingom when the national festival of Onam begins in Kerala. Aranmula. a village in Chengannur taluk, is unusually cheerful and gay.




ARANMULA UTHRITTATHII



The famous snake boat carnival on the Pampa held annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism in connection with the Onam festival is to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity 15 supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all of them are expected to arrive at their destination simultaneously. There is thus no element of competition in the Aranmula Boat Race as in other regattas held in this district and elsewhere. The race is not conducted to win any trophy or prize. The crew regard the occasion as one for rejoicing and merry-making and cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs. Even though the festival is of Hindu origin and is associated with the Parthasarathy Temple. it is an all-community affair and participants include members of all classes and communities living in and around Aranmula. The festival is now being organised under the auspices of the Palli Oda Seva Sangham. a popular organisation of the boat owners. It constitutes a national festival for the people of Central Travancore and special boats and buses ply to carry the people to witness the event. During the races. the banks of the river on either side. for a distance of about three kilometeres. would be thronged with millions. In recent years. the festival attracts spectators from all parts of the country and even from abroad. The Valla sadya is an important vazhipadu (offering) in the temple on this occasion.
The snake boats at the Aranmula regatta present an enchanting as well as imposing spectacle. They are of extraordinary shape. About 100 ft. long. the end of the boat is curving upwards with the front portion tapering gradually. The rear portion would be towering to a height of about 20 feet. The boats resemble snakes with their hoods raised. A 150 - crew including oarsmen. singers and rudder men man each boat which is gaily decorated for the occasion. The occupants carry banners and ornamental umbrellas of silk and gold. It is doubtful whether there is any other national festival resplendent with such an aura of spiritual devotion endearing friendship sportsman spirit, majesty and rapturous delight as the Aranmula boat race. .

  
  

Kasargod the northern most district in Kerala acquired over the years,considerable importance as a centre of Islam on west coast.It is the site of one of the mosques believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Dinar.The mosque, Juma Masjid which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district, is located in Thalangara.It contains the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed, one of the descedents of Malik Ibn Dinar and the place is sacred for muslims.An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar The"UROOS" attract pilgrims from all over India

Ettumanoor Festival

Ettumanoor is located 12 km north-east of kottayam town.The ancient siva temple here has brought glory and fame to the place.The name of the place had its origin from the word manoor which means the home of deer.Myths have it that the pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple.
The present temple building ,with its gopuram and the fortress around it,was reconstructed in 1542A.D.The mural paintings on the walls inside and outside the gopuram are quite famous.The images of balagopalam and other devas are painted with high artistic ingenuity.The golden flag staff inside the temple is a beautiful sight.On the top of it is the image of a bull surrounded by small bells and leaves of the banyan tree.The temple roofs are covered with copper sheets and it has 14 ornamental tops.
The arattu festival of this temple is celebrated on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in Kumbham(february-march) every year.Large number of people floak to this templeon the 8th and 10th day of the festival when seven and a half elephants made of gold (nearly 13 kilograms) will be held in public view.

BEEMAPALLY (Chandanakkuda Mahotsavam):-

The holy shrine of Bema Beevi, more popularly known as Beemapally, which is held sacred by Muslims as well as others, is situated about five kilometers southwest of the Trivandrum Central Railway Station, on the beach road leading to Poonthura via Valiathura. Beemapally is a shrine dedicated to the hallowed memory of Bema Beevi, a pious and devoted Muslim lady gifted with divine powers. Of the festivals celebrated here, Chandanakkuda Mahotsavam is by far, the most important. The festival is in commemoration of the death anniversary of Bema Beevi. Celebrated with much pomp and gaiety it begins on the first of Jamadul Akhar (March-April) of Hijra year and lasts for ten days.
On the first of Jamadul Akhar, the traditional flag of the mosque is ceremoniously hoisted in the presence of elders and a big gathering. This marks the commencement of the festival and the celebrations in the subsequent days. Small earthen pots smeared with sandalwood paste and their openings covered with small white cloth, with small flower garlands tied around their neck and two or three incense sticks thrust into the top covering, known as Chandanakkudam containing coins are devoutly carried by the pilgrims on their heads of the shrine. These pots are then given as offerings at the tomb.

ARTHUNKAL FEAST

Saint Andrews Forane 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 giant scale for eleven days in a year. Owing to the ummanagable 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 known as Ettamperunnal.





On the 18th day of January as the day dawns and the gates of the Church are opened, lakhs of pilgrims who return from the Shastha Temple at Sabarimala throng to this sacred place, take bath from the tank attached to the church and pay their homage to the saint.

ATTUKAL PONGALA


There is an ancient Bhagavathy Temple (Mudippura) at Attukal in the Kaladi ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The most important festival of this temple, generally known as Attukal Pongala commences on Karthika day in Kumbham month (February- March) and continues for nine days ie, till the Pooram star. The festival begins with Thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathy), which goes on during all the nine days. On the Ninth day, lakhs of women assemble in the compound with Pongala pots and the required quantities of rice and other ingredients for Ponkala. Many of them bring with them even firewood for cooking the Pongala. Pongala is an important offering usually made in Bhagavathy temples, prepared in the form of a pudding by cooking rice, jaggery, coconut kernel and plantain fruits in varying combinations.

One ritual starts from very early in the morning and by noon all the ponkalas would be ready, when the Melshanthi (Chief Priest) carrying Devi’s sword over all the places around the temple and blesses them by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers. After this, the Devi is taken in procession to Manacaud Shastha temple accompanied by Talapoli of young ladies, Kuthiyattom of gents and Caparisoned elephants etc. It is said that the Lord Shastha is Attukal Devi’s brother. The procession returns only the next morning. The administration is in the hands of Attukal Devi Trust. The temple is also known as Sabarimala for Ladies.

AMBALAPUZHA ARATTU


Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is situated at the East of Ambalapuzha Panchayat in Alappuzha District. It is about 14 km south and then east from Alappuzha town. The temple administration was once under Chemakasseri Kings and when Marthanda Varma conquered this place it was under Travancore. The main deity of the temple is “Parthasarathy” (Lord Sri Krishna). The other deities in the temple Bhagavathy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganapathy, Snake Gods, Guruvayoorappan.

Ambalapuzha Palpaysam (a milk pudding of exceptional sweetness) is the important offering of the temple. For making this special arrangements are made by the temple. The temple was completely renovated by Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayana Thampuran of Travancore in A.D 1623 with the guidance of Vilwamangala Swamis. The temple is also known as “ Dakshina Dwaraka”.

It is from this temple Kunjan Nambiar laid the foundation of the art form “ Ottan Thullal” with the blessing of Lord Krishna. The instrument “ Mizhava” used by him for Ottan Thullal is installed here.

The festival of the temple falls in the month of Meenam month and Thiruvonam star and of 10 days festival. On Idavam 1st 34000 Kalabham ritual is conducted here. “ Pallipana” another ritual is conducted in once in 12 years.

Festivals and fairs of a country form part of its cultural heritage.Kerala,cut off as it is from the rest of India by the Western Ghats,is noted for its rich culture,heritage and other distinctive characteristics.Religious tolerance,hospitality,cleanliness,simple life and broad outlook of the people have attracted many a foreigner to the state from time immemorial,besides her scenic beauty,pleasant climate and rich natural resourses.