Most Popular Summer Festivals in Kerala

Summer has begun. While the rest of India seems to be warming significantly, God’s Own Country – Kerala has a few surprises for its residents and tourists. There are several summer festivals in Kerala and each festival has its own distinctive fragrance and music. These festivals give you an insight into the rich heritage of the state. Kerala attends several Temple festivals, which are celebrated for several days. Kerala is very popular because of its Onam festival, but there are other great festivals that we should all be aware of and that is what we are about to help! If you are planning your summer vacation in Kerala, you need to read about these popular summer festivals in Kerala before you plan your trip.

List of Top Summer Festivals in Kerala 

1. Vishu

Summers are a great time to catch up on one of Kerala’s most famous festivals. There is not much to say about Vishu but it is the second most important festival of Kerala as it celebrates the New Year which usually falls on the 14th, 15th, or 16th of April. This day determines how the rest of the year will be for the Malayalis. Vishu is celebrated in April or May and is an important summer festival in Kerala, and unlike other festivals, it is celebrated with sobriety. The highlight is the Sadhya or traditional meal.

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2. Ambalapuzha Arattu

The festival of Ambalapuzha Arattu is held at Sree Krishnaswamy Temple at Alapuzha, and Ambalapuzha Unnikannan is covered. It is a ten-day festival where the Arattu is held on the last day called Thiruvonam Nakshatram. Built somewhere between the 15th and 17th centuries by the Chembakasserry ruler Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran; the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.It starts on the first day -Time and ends on Thiruvonam day. The Velakali is a significant event at the festival that is performed from the second day to the last day.

3. Kerala Boat Festival

Kerala is known worldwide for its backwaters. And the Kerala Boat Festival raises the tidiness of these glistening water canals. The race is about enthusiasm and most importantly team spirit and synchronization between the members. Watching this race is one of the fun Kerala summer festivals that should not be missed while on a trip to Kerala.Lots of activities as the most popular races – Champolaulam Moolam Boat Race (Alappuzha), Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Alleppey), Payippad Jalotsavam (Payippad Lake), and Vallam Kali (Punnamada Lake).Kerala Boat Race 2021 Dates: The Boat Festival in Kerala is celebrated from July to September. Nehru Boat Festival is on August 8, 2021 

4. Arattu Festival in Janardhanaswamy Temple

One of the most notable summer festivals in Kerala, the ten-day Arattu festival is celebrated in Janardhan Swamy temple with elephant parades, ornamental silk umbrellas, and Kathakali dances throughout the night. The Arattu is a larger ritual than a temple festival. Serve great prose, ceremonial bath, and sweet dish – Palpayasam; celebrate the festival of the Arattu. Each year it is celebrated two times first in March – April, and second in October – November.

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5. Onam

Onam is the most important and most popular festival in Kerala. Onam is celebrated with strength and joy, Onam is a harvest festival. Onam is also known as Thiruonam and is celebrated at the beginning of the month of Chingam for the Malayalam calendar. In Kerala, Onam is much more than Diwali, which is the most important festival celebrated all over India. Onam celebrates everyone in the state regardless of their community, caste, religion, and class. It is also the festival that celebrates the return of King Mahabali, who sacrificed his life for his people.

6. Thrissur Pooram

Held the largest and most famous, Thrissur Pooram temple is held at Vadukkannathan Swamy in Kerala every year in April – May. This annual Hindu temple festival of Kerala is held for a week in Medam month according to the Malayalam calendar. It was first held during the dynasties of Raja Ravi Varma, Maharaja Cochin, and Sakthan Thampuran as it is commonly known. A unity of 10 temples ordered as two groups namely Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu, brings a great festival to life with a display of innovative fireworks and elephant caparisons. Regarded as the most naturally secluded festival in Asia, Thrissur Pooram is a must-see festival.

 

7. Theyyam Festival

Theyyam is one of the most popular summer festivals in Northern Malabar Kerala, mainly in the Kolathunadu district, which includes Koyilandy Vadakara Taluk today in Kozhikode, Kannur district, Kasargod, and Mananthavady Taluk in Wayanad. This famous summer festival of Kerala is also celebrated in Tulunadu and Kodagu in Karnataka state. This 800-year-old festival is celebrated between December and April. It is a form of worship and shows art and returns to dance. There are more than 400 different types of Theyyam dances. Some of the best Theyyam performances you would see are Wayanad Kulaven, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Raktha Chamundi, and Kari Chamundi. Theyyam performers, associated with the lower caste, dress as gods for dancing or suing. The village shrine is usually the venue for the ritual dance. Theyyam is performed as ancestor worship in the houses.

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8. Easter

Kerala has one of the largest Christian communities in the country. It is for this reason that Easter is celebrated in a big way. Families mark the end of the ‘loan’ by preparing a big festival. Churches offer special prayers during the day. Several dedicated people visit the famous Church of St. Thomas at Malayatoor in Ernakulam district.

9. Kodungallur Bharani Utsavam

Kodungallur Bharani Utsavam or just Kodungallur Bharani is one of the most exotic summer festivals in Kerala. The festival usually falls during the Malayalam month of Meenam or in the period between March and April. It is hosted by the Kodungallur Bhagawati, which is one of the most terrifying temples in the state, in Thrissur. The goddess Bhadrakali is the main god of Kodungallur Bhagawati and this festival is celebrated centenary to celebrate Bhadrakali’s victory over a demon named Daarika. Hope you enjoyed the brief list of the top 5 summer festivals in Kerala that offer umpteen beach sports and fabulous scenic views of the city. There are various famous spots at the mentioned Festivals of All Seasons Celebrated in Kerala which delivers many attractions. For more engaging blogs like these head on to our other blogs and ping us in the comment sections below if you hold any queries regarding the travel destinations.

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