Spectrum Tours » Kerala » Festivals

January - The Great Elephant March:
This festival takes place in some of Kerala's major towns- Thrissur, Alappuzha and Thrivananthapuram. While caparisoned elephants go out in procession, boat races on the backwaters and cultural events lend color to the festivities.



Kerala Village Fair:
(Kovalam) Every year mid-January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatch houses are decorated during the 10-day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.

May-Pooram :
The colourful Pooram festival is held in Thrissur at its fine Vadakkumnathan temple. Processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants provide a magnificent spectacle. The festival is rounded off. at night by dazzling firework displays.

August-Onam :
Onam coincides with the harvest season and is an occasion of spontaneous revelry.. Onam celebrates the home coming of Mahabali, the legendary king, who had ruled over Kerala in the mythological age of plenty but was sent down to infernal regions by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana. The decorating of houses with carpets of flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of the golden reign of Mahabali, mark the 10-day long festivities. A major attraction of Onam celebrations are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Arbnmula and Kottayam.

Neheru Trophy Boat Race:
Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat race conducted in the Punnamada held on the second Saturday of August every year. The long elegant snakeboats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted trophy, attract spectators from all over.