:: Festivals
Though temples had no become an emotion,sentiment or concept in the daily lives of the people, festivals occupied a pride of place in those remote period of history. The chief religious observances and customs of the Hindus, may be breifly summed up.

¤ Attachamayam
The festival of Attachamayam is held on the Atham day of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/ September), at the historical town of Tripunithura, near Kochi. It is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi.
¤ Celebration Preparations & Decorations
It is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi. Pomp and colour mark the pageantry, which is replete with caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats and musical ensemble. This spectacular procession marks the beginning of the Onam Festival.

¤ Bakrid (Festival Of Sacrifice, Id Ul-Azha, Valla Perunnal)
Bakrid or Valla Perunnal also called Id Ul-Azha or the 'festival of sacrifice' is another Muslim festival celebrated by Shias and Sunnis alike in Kerala. Bakrid falling on the 10th of Dhul- Hajj, the last month of the lunar year (April) is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice in obedience to God's command.
On Bakrid, people dressed in their best clothes proceed to Id-Gali, the open space set apart for public prayer. There are congregational prayer is held under the leadership of the Imam. At homes, ceremonial prayers and sumptuous feasts form part of the festival.

¤ Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala. The carnival dates back to the Portuguese New Year revelry held here during the colonial days.
It has evolved as an occasion for the youth to enjoy the party-like atmosphere with unique games, competitions and illumination during these days, Fort Kochi puts on a festive look. The highlight of the Carnival is the massive procession on the New Year Day.
¤ Organising For The Celebration
The procession is led by a caparisoned elephant accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk art forms, Panchavadyam etc. north indian dances also figure in the festivities.
¤ Celebration Preparations & Decorations
The procession is led by a caparisoned elephant accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk art forms, Panchavadyam etc. north indian dances also figure in the festivities.

¤ Easter
Easter which falls in April is a major religious festival for the Christians in Kerala. This solemn celebration of the resurrection of Christ is undertaken with religious fervour by Christians of all sects. Unlike Christmas with its festive mood, Easter has a ritualistic sobriet.
¤ Celebration Trends And Rituals
Easter has a ritualistic sobriet. The abstinence period of 50 days preceding Easter known as 'Lent', the Pal Sunday celebrations, the Holy Week comprising Maundy Thursday, good Friday and Easter, are all part of the celebrations.
¤ General Information
Religious Practices
The abstinence period of 50 days preceding Easter known as 'Lent', the Pal Sunday celebrations, the Holy Week comprising Maundy Thursday, good Friday and Easter, are all part of the celebrations.

¤ Edapalli perunal
The feast at the ancient Roman Catholic Church of Edapalli Perunnal is situated on the National Highway (NH 47) between Ernakulam and Aluva. The annual feast of this church commences on the 23rd of April and the chief ceremony is held on the 4t of May. An ornate chariot carries the statue of St. George in a procession with musical accompaniment and a brilliant display of bright coloured parasols. Fowls are the main offering at this church.

¤ Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand fest on the rolling backwaters of Kochi. Conducted in the last week of December, it is a fitting finale to the Tourism Fair, which attracts travellers from all parts of the globe. The sixteen majestic snake boats racing neck to neck in gaiety and competition to the sky-rending cheers of the multitudes, is a unique sight. The coveted trophy of the race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.

¤ Jewish Festival
The Jews of Kerala are believed to have migrated to this place in the first century following the destruction of the second temple of Jerusalem in 72 AD. The Jewish community in Kerala settled mainly in and around Mattancherry, Kochi. The Passover Festival to commemorate the liberation of Jews from Egyptian slavery is celebrated in April/ May every year.
The Pentecost Festival follows the Passover, and the feast of the Tabernacles are also observed. The New Year celebration which falls in September/ October and Hanukka, the 'festival of lights', are other popular festivals. Celebration Trends And Rituals
The Jews of Kerala are believed to have migrated to this place in the first century following the destruction of the second temple of Jerusalem in 72 AD.

¤ Miladi Sherif (Nabi Dinam)
Miladi Sharif or Nabi-Dinam, the Birthday celebration of Prophet Mohammed, is a major Muslim festival in Kerala and falls in the month of July. The most important event of the festival is the recital of 'Moulood', a short biography of the Prophet written in Arabic.
During the first twelve days of the month, right-long discourses are conducted by Muslim Ulemas to enlighten the people on various aspects of the life of the Prophet. Large scale feeding of the poor form part of the celebrations. Colourful processions are also held.
¤ Significance
Birthday Of Prophet Muhammad.
¤ General Information
Location
Kerala.
Timings
July.
Main Attraction
Recital Of Moulood.

¤ Maasi Makom
Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala.
Enroute is the Poornatrayesa temple at Tripunittura. The Devi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. Together, they are known as Lakshminarayana.
People who have mental illness seek refuge in the divine mother, who graciously cures all her devotees. Goddess Rajarajeswari is the presiding deity.
This deity is worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue. The image in the shrine is not fixed to the ground and is mounted on loose sand. Water offered during ablution ceremonies percolates underground It is locally believed that the deity appeared in front of Vilvamangalam Swamigal, a saint associated with this shrine and with Guruvayoor.
Vilvamangalam Swamy is said to have discovered Bhadrakali enshrined in Keezhkaavu.
The annual festival here is celebrated in the month of Kumbha (February - March). 'Maasi Magam', coinciding with the full moon, during this festival attracts vast crowds.

¤ Pongala Festival
Conducted for the first time in Kochin at Pavakulam Temple(Kaloor, Ernakulam).It is a festival in favour to the Parvathi Devi.

¤ Vishu
Falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam (April), which is the astronomical New Year Day when the sun crosses the equator.
Through Vishu is identified with the Hindus religious beliefs, it is not in any way a religious festival. As per popular belief, the first thing people see on Vishu, the 'Vishukkani', is decisive to the year's prosperity.
Thus the 'Vishukkani' has over the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.
¤ Celebration Trends And Rituals
'Vishukkani' has over the years become a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.
As Vishu ushers in a New Year dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. Giving off handsel (kaineettam) to the younger members of the family is part of the celebrations.

¤ Onam
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore, of a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness, under the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join together to welcome back their vanquished king. The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.
¤ Celebration Preparations & Decorations
Preparation of a floral carpet called "Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is part of the festivities, which is a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali.
The state government conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing the gems of Kerala's culture. Onam resonates with Carnivals, Boat Races, Dance, Music and Feast.
A sumptious meal on plantain leaf and the traditional sweet dish of Kerala 'Payasam' etc are served in every house The pomp and pageantry of Onam reflects the Keralite's zest for all the beautiful things of life.
¤ Celebration Trends And Rituals
According to local belief, in a war that took place between the gods and the demons, the demons won. Deeply hurt by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their mother prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy Mahabali, the demon king.
Consequently, Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to grant him three steps of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can he place the third step.
The king to honour his word, offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali deep down into the earth. Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a wish that he could he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year.
Significance

:: Harvest Festival
¤ Kodungalloor Festival
Kodungalloor, 50 kms north of Kochi, was the ancient port town of Muziris or Crangannore. Goddess Bhagavathi is the presiding deity of the ancient temple here. The Bharani Festival, which falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March/ April) attracts the largest congregation of 'Velichappadu' (Oracles), including women from different parts of the State.