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The land of Kerala is believed to be a gift of the Arabian Sea. Owing to its favourable location this land fostered trade and established contacts with Egypt, Assyria, Greeks, Romans and the Chinese. The Malayalam era 'Kollavarsha' is believed to have started in the 9th century A.D. During this period of internal strife in Kerala, Cheraman Perumal founded the Chera dynasty (9th century AD). In about 1498 the Portuguese came to Calicut and in 1502 to Kochi. Kerala was then divided into the Kingdoms of Malabar, Kochi and Travancore FESTIVALS Among the innumerable festivals that take place all over Kerala, almost all the prominent ones are connected with religious institutions. The Utsavas of the Hindu temples and the Perunals of Christian and Muslim churches are of utmost importance to the community. There are certain festivities like the boat races, which originated to commemorate religious events but subsequently turned out to be events of social importance. NavaratriThis is the Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussera of Bombay and the Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. Its entire course runs over 9 days. It is the last three days that are most important. These are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami. On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It consist in decorating a room splendidly, illuminating it with many lights and arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the room, the things necessary for doing Puja to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Books and weapons of various kinds are tastefully arranged and a picture or image of the goddess placed in the centre. The worship then commences with accompaniment of music. This goes on night and day till the morning of the third day, when the 'Puja Eduppu' or breaking up of the Puja takes place. After the performance of special religious service, the arrangements on the platform are formally removed and the Puja broke up. Then follows the 'Vidyarambham' or the beginning of learning. On the last three days of Puja, all sorts of learning are kept in abeyance; no one will read or write or do any handicraft or work with any material. Every sort of business is at a stand still. After the Removal of Puja, work commences. During the Puja Vayppu people generally fast. In Travancore the Navaratri is a state ceremony celebrated with great magnificence. During the old times in Padmanabhapuram, all gates of the city were beset with soldiers, and no one was allowed to go out or enter. The festival continued for eight days, and when it was over, the king distributed presents to Brahmans. Each received a rupee. The high priest presented to the king a Vastram; which is a piece of silk or cotton stuff, a Viraghen; worth about three scudi and a cow as the support of life because these people lived chiefly on milk and butter. Such a present is called Godanam. It is said that there is no evidence for that the Godanam or gift was made to the king by the high priest. The gift must have been made by the king to the high-priest. On Vijay Deshami day the Maharaja goes in state accompanied by the state officers and escorted by the military to a place called Pujappura a couple of miles from the fort at Trivandrum and shoots an arrow into consecrated tender coconut placed for the purpose. After this the procession returns and his highness standing in the Verandah of the 'Karivelappura Malika' in front of the Trivandrum temple strews money amongst the crowd collected below. Deepavali Deepavali is the festival of lights. The chief feature in the celebration of this festival, is that all bathe early in the morning rubbing their head and body with oil, though an oil bath is prohibited on the new-moon day on which the festival generally, falls. After bath they take sweets and enjoy themselves. The children fire off crackers. All this is done as a thanks offering for ridding the world of the oppression of the Naraka by the god Krishna. Trikarthika It is celebrated in honour of Bhagvati. It falls on the day of 3rd lunar asterism. It is the birthday of Bhagvati. The houses are all well lighted and lights are also left burning in the Verandah, front yard and at the gates. There is general illumination through out. Offering are made at the temple of the goddess and women turn out in the evening for worshipping the goddess. Maha Siva Ratri 'Maha Siva Ratri' means the great night of Siva. It is celebrated in the month of March. On this day, people fast. Some abstain from any kind of food, while others content themselves with one meal. Strict vigil is kept in the night. The people cluster round the Siva temple, and after bath they smear their bodies with holy ashes, and keep on reciting prayers to Siva. Enthusiasts, more devout than the rest perform rolling circumambulations round the temple, while the ordinary worshippers go round it on foot a number of times. Puja to the image of Siva is kept up all the night. Early next morning, people bathe once more, worship Siva and return to their ordinary avocations. On Sivaratri, all the devotees throng in great numbers to the temples of Siva or Mahadeva. They remain there the whole night, sing all sorts of incident songs in honour of the Lingam. Lingam represents the creative power of luminary. Vishu Vishu is one of the important festivals of Kerala. It comes in the month of April usually on the 14th. According to the traditional Malayalam calendar, it is the 1st day of Malayalam month Medam which is the astronomical New Year. Traditional rituals are followed to bring in another year of prosperity. The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon by bursting fire crackers. The feast or the 'sadya' is prepared by the women of the household and the whole family sits down to enjoy the vishu lunch together. Onam Onam is the national festival of the people of Kerala. It is the festival of flowers, which falls in 'Chingam' or Bhadrapada usually in August or September. It is a harvest festival and goes for 4 colourful days with song and Kathakali dances, feasting and boat races. The celebration of Onam is a tribute to Mahabali's sacrifice. Onam celebrations which last ten days begin with a colourful reception to King Mahabali. Mahabali is supposed to visit his kingdom on the 2nd day, which is the most important day of the festival. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards and beautifully decorated with flowers. The legend is believed to have happened at Trikkakara, a place 10km from Cochin on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road which according to mythology was the legendary capital of King Mahabali. The Vamanamoorthy temple here with the deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise. TOURISM Beach Holidays Kerala in India is one of the most exciting beach holiday destinations. In fact Kerala is the most frequented holiday destination in South India. Kerala has a 900-kilometer coastline that is bordered with picturesque The site India Travel Destinations offers you information on tour booking for beach holidays and beach tours to the sandy beaches of Kerala, India that are known for the calm and serene blue waters and gentle surf that form a perfect contrast with the lush green palm trees. Marari Beach There are miles and miles of sands at the Marari beach that is dotted with palm trees that keep swaying in the constantly blowing sea breeze. Kovalam Beach Kumarakom Beach Alappuzha Beach Fort Kochi Beach Varkala Beach Kappad Beach in Kerala Ezhimala Beach Moppila Bay Dharmadam Island Muzhappilangad Beach Thirumullavaram Beach |
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