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January
Thrichenganoor
Mahadeva Temple
This Mahotsavam (grand festival)
is at Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple,
Chenganoor, 35 kilometers from Kottayam.
This is the only temple in Kerala, which
conducts a twenty eight-day annual festival.
The last ten days are the most important.
Festival highlights: Spectacular procession
in the mornings and evenings, all night
Kathakali for two nights, Arattu,
Thiruvathirakali, Chakyarkoothu,
Ottanthullal, Kavadiyattam, Mayilattam,
Karakkattam, Ammankudam. Deities of the
temple: Lord Siva & Sree Parvathi.
Thaipooya Mahptsavam
At Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple,
Harippad Festival highlights:
Thaipooya-kavadiyattom, Chuttuvilakku. Deity
of the temple: Sree Subrahmanya
Danaha Perunal
The annual two-day (first week of
January) Danaha Perunal at St. Mary's
Church (Valiyapalli) Piravom, 35 kilometers
from Ernakulam. Festival highlights:
Spectacular processions carrying gold and
silver crosses and colorful parasols,
Panchavadyam, Nadaswaram, musical bands
fireworks display. Patron of the church: St.
Mary.
Gramam
The Kerala village fair at Eve's beach, Kovalam, 16
kilometers from Trivandrum. An entire Kerala village is
recreated by the beach during this 10-day
long festival.
February
 Nishagandhi
Dance Festival
The classical dances are
presented at Trivandrum in February every
year. It is a splendid opportunity to watch
south Indian classical dances, Mohiniyattam
, Kathakali
(Kerala) Bharathanatyam
(Tamil Nadu) Kuchipudi
(Andhra) and Odissi
(Orissa), Manipuri (Manipur) and Kathak
(North Indian).
Attukal Pongala
Utsavam
Only women are allowed at Attukal
Bhagavathy Temple, Trivandrum during
the pongala. Festival highlights include
preparation of pongala by thousands
of women devotees in the temple courtyard.
The chief priest to the temple goes around
carrying the sword of the Goddess, blesses
the devotees, sprinkles holy water and
flower petals on them, procession of the
deity's idol, Thalapoli, Kuthiyottam,
Caprisoned elephants, Chendamelam, Nadaswaram, Kumbhamkudam, Classical music
recitals, Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali. Deity of the temple: Goddess
Bahagavathy.
Malabar Mahotsavam
 A
cultural Extravaganza that showcases the
centuries old rich cultural heritage of
India held in every year in Calicut. Festival
highlights: Classical dances, music
concerts, ritual art performances, food
festival featuring the local delicacies and
fire works display.
March
Sivaratri
Aluva Sivaratri at Siva temple, on the
banks of Periyar at Aluva.
Kalavayal
(Cattle Fair)
Kakkoor kalavayal, 40 kilometers from Cochin, Ernakulam District. It is a post
harvest festival.
April
Sree Padmanabha Swami
Temple
 There
is a ten-day annual UTSAVAM (festival) at
Sree Padmanabha swami Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram. Festival highlights:
Pallivetta, Arattu, ceremonial processions,
Kathakali performances. Deity of the temple:
Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Anantha.
Mamangam
10-day annual Mamangam at Thirunavaya
Navamukunda temple in Malappuram district, near Calicut
May
Trissur
Pooram
 11th
May: Pageant of 30
caparisoned elephants assembled in the
precincts of the Vadkkumnathan Temple.
Attractions: Kudamattom, Chendamelam,
Panchavadyam, spectacular firework display.
June
Ochirakali
16-17: Annual OCHIRAKALI at Parabrahma
Temple, Ochira, Kollam. The temple has no
shrine or presiding deity. It is consecrated
to the cosmic consciousness. Ochirakali
commemorates the war between the rulers of
Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha principalities on
the Ochira Pandanilam (battlefield).
Festival highlights: Martial performances,
cattle and agricultural trade fair.
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