10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Kerala 2024

By - December 28, 2023 - Festivals, India, Kerala

Kerala is famous for its cultural heritage and religious attributes. The aesthetic place is famously known as ‘God’s own country has a lot to offer when it comes to cultural events, festivals, and rituals which take place throughout the year that make this city an awe-inspiring region not only for its dwellers but also for the visitors who visit this land of divinity, inspiration, and spirituality every now and then to experience the amazing culture and traditions of Kerala.

Let us get familiar with some of these magnificent festivals and events of this state.

Here is the list of the 10 Most Famous Festival and Events of Kerala:

1. Onam

Onam Festival in Kerala

Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. This 10-day long festival is held in August and September with an elaborate and impressive showcase of South Indian traditional dances, music, and other exciting activities like boat races and other sports.

People create gorgeous Pookalam, a rangoli made of flowers in front of their houses and on roads to welcome the homecoming of their beloved King Mahabali. A huge procession of elephants, thrilling boat races spectacular cultural programs of dance and music are the main attractions of this festival.

All the people in and around the city get into a festive mood of celebrations by decorating their houses and exchanging gifts. The onam feast is a popular feast that includes some exclusive vegetarian dishes with delicious desserts served on banana leaves. Read More: Onam Festival Kerala 2024: Date, Traditions, Activities, Story, and How to Celebrate?

2. Attukaal Pongal

Attukaal Pongal Festival

Pongal is a sweet delicacy that is cooked in a clay pot with ingredients like jaggery, coconut, and boiled rice. This unique festival is named after the dish as this food is cooked by women on the 9th day of this 10-day long festival which is held in the months of February and March. Women of any caste or religion from various places adorn themselves gorgeously with ornaments and ethnic wear during the festival to cook Pongal. The cooked food is then presented to the Goddess Attukal Devi as an offering.

This extraordinary festival has already secured a place in the records of the Guinness Book of Worlds for drawing the largest female crowd in 1997. The extravagant festival gets magical with the touch of cultural music and dance programs.

Check out the Itinerary for Kerala:

3. Kerala Boat Festivals

Kerala Boat Festivals

The magnificent Kerala Boat Festivals are held at various lakes and rivers in Kerala where backwater rides are very popular. Kerala Boat Festivals are celebrated from July to September. Various boats of different sizes take part in Boat Races held at different points in the state. The zeal, excitement, and incredible synchronization of boat races give the audience a wholesome experience of thrill and fun.

These electrifying Boat Races across the state draw many tourists from all over the country. Some of the famous Boat Races are the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Alleppey, the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race at Alapuzha, VallamKoli at Punnamada Lake, etc.

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4. Vishu

Vishu Festival Kerala

Vishu is celebrated to welcome the New Year according to the Malayalam calendar which falls either in April or May. This is one of the major festivals in Kerala which is celebrated with a lot of traditions and rituals to look forward to a prosperous new year ahead.

Kani Kanal or the first sight of Lord Vishu Kani marks the beginning of the day in the morning. Another tradition called Vishu Kaineettam is followed on this day where the youngsters of each family are blessed with money. A great feast called Sadya which includes some traditional South Indian dishes is enjoyed on a banana leaf.

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5. Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram Festival Kerala

It is one of the most spectacular temple festivals in the state of Kerala. The festival is held in April or May for 36 hours in Vadakkunnathan Temple which is located in Thrissur. The Lord worshipped during this festival is Lord Shiva.

This festival is celebrated with elaborate arrangements adorned with elephants marching ahead with the drummers. People from different castes and religions gather at the temple to witness the splendid procession and get into the festive mood of celebrations. The festival ends with mind-blowing shows of fireworks.

Know more about the Thrissur Pooram festival, its dates, History, Attractions, and how it’s celebrated in all detail. 

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6. Theyyam

Theyyam Festival Kerala

Theyyam is one of the most phenomenal festivals in Kerala. This spectacular festival of 400 types of cultural dances is held from December to April. These 800-year-old cultural celebrations showcase traditional dancers dressed as gods and goddesses and enthrall the audience with an aura of bliss and serenity by enacting the roles of several mythological characters.

All the participants of Theeyam follow a program which includes 3 stages where they adorn themselves with flowers and colors in the first stage, they involve themselves in self-torture in the second stage and the final stage is about dancing to a rhythm.

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7. Maha Shivarathri

Maha Shivarathri Festival Kerala

Maha Shivratri is a grand festival in Kerala which is held in February or March. This festival is celebrated by keeping fast throughout the day to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. Devotees gather at the Shiva Temple by the river Periyar to witness and pray to the astounding self-emerging Siva Lingam (idol of Lord Shiva) made of sand.

Some amazing cultural programs and rituals are performed throughout the day. One of the most famous rituals is the Bali Tharpanam where offerings are made to one’s ancestors by performing some religious practices early in the morning.

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8. Makaravilakku Festival

Makaravilakku Festival Kerala

Famous Lord Ayyappa is worshipped during this seven-day-long festival. This festival is held on the 14th of January every year. Devotees and pilgrims gather at the famous Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala to offer prayers to their beloved God.

One of the major attractions of this festival is the magnificent procession of 3 days wherein the jewelry of Lord Ayyappa called Thiruvabharanam is carried amongst the crowd. The festival lights up the surroundings by creating an unbelievable divine aura around.

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9. Christmas

Christmas Festival Kerala

Christmas is also a very popular festival in Kerala since Christians form a major part of the population in the state. Like any other region of the world, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December every year.

In South India’s December travel guide, the Christmas celebrations in Kerala are a significant highlight. During this festive season, churches and houses across the state are adorned with intricate decorations, including lights and flowers.

Key attractions include the exchange of sweets and gifts, the festive Christmas Mass, and the enjoyment of traditional Christmas cakes. The decoration of Christmas Trees with stars, festoons, and various ornaments adds to the joyous atmosphere. Additionally, the melodious Christmas Carols sung in churches and the bustling shopping festivals in major cities make Kerala a vibrant and lively destination to experience during December.

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10. Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race

Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race Kerala

This is another popular Boat Race in Kerala on the last day of the famous Onam festival which is held in the month of August and September. This spectacular event takes place near Aranmula Parthasarathy temple which is located on the banks of River Pamba in a village called Aranmula.

Gorgeously decorated snake boats called Palliyodams carry people holding beautiful parasols and 100 oarsmen dressed in traditional attire who sing divine songs and aim for the finishing line throughout the race. This 2-day long festival attracts a large crown near the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple every year.

All the festivals in Kerala are famous for being rich in traditions and that has become possible only because of the people in Kerala since they believe in preserving and valuing their year-old rituals and respecting their culture above all even in this modern world.

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Learn more about the Indian festival by reading the below post:

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