Kerala is a melting pot where several ethnic
and religious groups mingle. A good illustration of the religious
tolerance or secularism
is found
in the heart of Kerala's capital, 'Thiruvananthapuram', where a
Hindu temple, a mosque and a cathedral stand side by side. The ancient
rulers of Kerala never practiced religious discrimination. Patronage
was distributed not only to the Hindus, but also to the Christians,
the Jews and the Muslims. Each of the unique festivals brightens
up the otherwise customary affairs of life. It is a reason to celebrate
life and resembles eternal harmony. Filled with laughter, enthusiasm
and excitement, festivals bring people of various religions and
backgrounds together and take pleasure in the endowments of nature.
With ever so many fests all through the year to cherish, to get
together and to rejoice, Keralites must be truly blessed. Every
season wakes up to another delightful festival, which makes life
more vivacious and cheerful. A close look at the Kerala calendar
will reveal that this is a land where the festivals never end.
ONAM FESTIVAL KERALA
Festivals in Kerala are an intrinsic part of the social and cultural structure of Kerala. Every community and every religion in Kerala has something to celebrate about all through out the year. The one festival which brings forth the best of Kerala’s secular life is Onam. Onam is celebrated by all sections of people irrespective of caste, creed or religion creating an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood.The prismatic festival of Onam attracts thousands of people within and outside Kerala. The state Government has pledged to celebrate Onam as a tourist festival with the aim to boost up tourism in Kerala.
The
Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:
Onam is celebrated in honor of the legendary King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan. Onam commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali. Legends reveal that King Mahabali was a just ruler. During his reign the people of his kingdom resided in peace and prosperity. He was so poplar among his people that he invited the envy of the Gods in heaven because he belonged to the race of Demons. King Mahabali was a great conqueror. He had conquered the land, the sea and the heavens making the Gods even more perturbed. Consequently, they requested Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, in the Hindu trinity to come to their rescue. Thereby, Lord Vishnu descended on earth in the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin. Vamana walked to King Mahabali's palace and found the King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Gradually, Vamana attained a colossal figure. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus overpowered and sent to the underworld. However, because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he was permitted to return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. Onam is therefore, celebrated every year to welcome Mahabali, the good Demon King of Kerala.
Celebration of Onam:
Onam festivities begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year and continue for ten days. The people of Kerala prepare for this festival by up decorating their houses, wearing new clothes, preparing delicious sweets and dishes and serving them on banana leaves. “Pookalam” a traditional flower carpet adorns the front courtyard of every household symbolising the welcome of King Mahabali. On the eve of Onam, traditional rituals are performed and the people celebrate the occasion with a grand feast. “Payasam” a sweet and tempting porridge is one of the favorite desserts served on the eve of Onam. All people await the carnival with great enthusiasm. It is also a time for homecoming for people staying away from their families.
“Vallamkali”, a great boat race is another marvelous facet of this festival. Hundreds of men row the boats in synchronization to the beat of drums and cymbals. Each boat is embellished with a scarlet silk umbrella and gold coins hanging from the umbrella. This event is characterized with various boats competing against each other to win the race.
In Trichur, a dynamic cavalcade with lustrously caparisoned elephants is taken out while at Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of instruments like udukku and thakil. Onam elegantly epitomizes the passion of the people of Kerala.
Onam is a symbol of unity:
One remarkable thing about Onam is that it is celebrated by all,
not only Hindus but also by Christians and Muslims who are living
in Kerala. It is one festival that unites all people regardless
of race and religion. The beauty of the festival lies in it's
secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities
celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps
to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various
team sports organized on the day.
ONAM IS THE PASSION OF THE PEOPLE OF KERALA. AND, PRIDE OF INDIA!
VISHU FESTIVAL KERALA
Introduction:
Vishu is identified with the Hindu religious beliefs, but it is not in any way a religious
festival. In Kerala, the start of the Zodiac New Year*—when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries,
Ashwini nakshatra—is celebrated as Vishu. According to the traditional Malayalam calendar, Vishu festival falls on the first day of month of Medam (14 April), which marks the astronomical New Year Day when the sun crosses the equator.
Traditions and Rituals:
According to beliefs, the first thing people see on Vishu morning purely denotes what can be expected in the coming year. Therefore efforts are made on Vishu to assure that one opens one's eyes before an auspicious image—the Vishukkani (literally 'first sight') considered propitious for the year's prosperity.
Arranged in the family puja room the night before by the mother in the family, the Vishukkani includes a ritual arrangement of items like a cadjan leaf book, gold ornaments, fresh white cloth, 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'., which a person must see first thing on a Vishu morning to bring good luck. All these things are kept in a big pot and a lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is placed alongside. Behind is kept the bell metal mirror and a garlanded deity of Lord Krishna with two standing oil lamps positioned before it.
Vishu ushers in a New Year dawn, people wake up to behold the ritualistic arrangement. After the rituals are done with, the family members visit temples to offer prayers followed by a feast at home.
Celebrations:
During the Vishu festival people wear new clothes (
kodi vastram), elders of the family dole out tokens of money called
vishukaineetam to the children, servants and tenants. People believe that in this way, their children will be blessed with success and wealth. During the day, men and children engage in bursting crackers while the women prepare various delicacies consisting of the best of Kerala cuisine for the lip smacking feast or the 'sadya'. The dishes are usually prepared from the vegetables and fruits that are abundant in the season like jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, a variety of gourds, and coconuts. A group of young men and women dress up as 'chozhi', wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on their faces and go to every household dancing and accumulating small amounts of money which is spent on the Vishuwela (the New Year Fair).
THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL KERALA
The Thrissur Pooram festival of Kerala is one of the biggest temple festivals in India being celebrated since two centuries. Celebrated during the month April or May, the Trichur Pooram festival is a very auspicious festival with all temples in Kerala participating in this blithe extravaganza. The Thrissur Pooram festival enjoys a historical significance complimented by an ancient mysticism.
The catholic nature of Thrissur Pooram traces back to two centuries when Sakthan Thampuran (1751-1805), the very architect of Thrissur, became the ruler of the erstwhile state Kochi. He undertook the reconstruction of the Vaddakkannathan temple complex circumscribed within lofty walls. At a time when nobody dare look at the almighty Namboodiris, Sakthan Thampuran bereaved them of their powers and took over the administration of the temple. It was his initiative to make the extensive Thekkinkadu Maidan the major venue of Thrissur Pooram. He also entrusted the responsibility of holding the festival on the two temples- Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu. Thses two temples have therefore been administering the celebration of the Thrissur pooram Festival.
In the evening of Pooram day, twin lines of 13 elephants intricately caparisoned stand facing each other, on the temple grounds. Each elephant bears an umbrella holder, a peacock fan carrier and a yak-tail fly whisk wielder. Between the two lines of elephants stand performers buffeting trumpets and wind orchestras. As each orchestra reaches crescendo, attractive showcase of brilliant ceremonial umbrellas blossoms over the elephants and the crowd applauds. At sunset the elephants depart and late at night, the darkness is ablaze with a glitzy spectacle of fireworks.
The distinctive feature of the Thrissur Pooram festival lies in its secular fabric. The Muslim and Christian Communities actively participate in the festival and play a very significant role in the festival. Most of the pandals are crafted by professionals from the Muslim community. For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School, owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church and located on the western part of the Swaraj Round, becomes the Headquarters of the Thiruvampadi Devaswam. The temple elephants are tied in the school compound. The 'Aana Chamaya pradarsanam' is also held here. At a time when the secular fabric of the Indian Society is slowly decomposing, one cannot remain blind folded to the relevance of Thrissur Pooram festival.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas celebrated on 25th December commemorates the birth of Jesus Jesus the central figure of Christianity. Besides being the festival of universal love, Christmas is a solemn occasion to remember Jesus, his life, his sacrifice for the good of humanity and his message of compassion and brotherhood.
On the day of Christmas, priests hold mass in churches of Kerala thrice-- the first at midnight. Just before the midnight mass, an image of the Child is brought by the priest, preceded by rows of Children holding lighted candles that are placed in the crib. The hymn 'Gloria in Exelcis Deo' is sung amidst the explosion of crackers. In the Christmas night believers remember with deep veneration the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest exhorter of love, peace and rotherhood. And across the world believers consider the Holy Midnight Mass as a divine occasion.
In Christian households, preparations start a month in advance. People clean up, paint and decorate their houses giving it a fresh new look, buy new clothes, Ladies are busy making the traditional Christmas cake which is anxiously awaited not just by the entire family but also by the neighbors!! Christmas Gifts are also bought for friends, relatives and kids in the family. Biggest festival for Christians - Christmas is also the time for family reunions.
Christmas also includes elegantly decorated Christmas trees, stars, cribs, greeting cards, mouth watering cakes and cookies. On Christmas Eve and Christmas morning special masses are organized in all churches, carols are sung and church choirs visit every household. Interestingly, Hindus and Muslim population exist in majority in India, yet Christmas is celebrated with great rejoicing and merry-making in this secular country. Christmas in India is declared as a national holiday.
