Festivals

Onam (August - September)
Onam is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Kerala, and it commemorates the legendary rule of King Mahabali, during which time the people were so happy that it aroused the jealousy of the gods
To mark the Onam festivities, the Tourism Week is celebrated in the state especially in Thiruvananthapuram during which the streets in the city are illuminated and a unique package of traditional and cultural programmes are staged at the Kanakakkunnu Palace and other landmark points. It culminates in a colourful carnival which the vast majority of the populace turn out to watch.

Arattu
The vetta and arattu processions are held twice a year from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple to Shanghumugham Beach, led by the members of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore. The idols from the temple are subjected to a ritual purification in the sea. Cultural performances, including Kathakali, are staged during the occasion.

Attukal Pongala
The ten day Pongala festival held at Attukal
Bhagavathy Temple, 2 km from Thiruvananthapuram, attracts thousands of female devotees from many parts of the country.
Men are not allowed in the vicinity of the temple during the Pongala. Pongala is a kind of sweet porridge, considered to be the goddess1 favourite offering. It is cooked by each devotee in a clay pot on an open fire and the long line of women making the ritual offering extends up to East Fort and beyond.

Chandanakudam Maholsavam
This colourful Islamic festival is celebrated to commemorate Bee Umma, a saintly lady, whose tomb is in Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram. Devotees bring money in pots decorated with flowers, incense sticks and sandalwood paste, as an offering during the festival

Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival (February)
This festival of Indian classical dances and music is held at the Nishagandhi open air theatre, Kanakakunnu Palace grounds,Thiruvananthapuram. • Bharathanatyam • Kathak • Kathakali• Kuchipudi • Manipuri • Mohiniyattom • Odissi • Specially choreographed ballet combining one or more of these classical dance forms • Classical music (insturmental and vocal) • Jugalbandi (concertos) are performed in the evenings.

Gramam (the Kerala village fair), Kovalam (January)
An entire Kerala village is recreated on the beach, during this ten day long festival. The traditional nalukettu (the quadrangular upper class house with a central open courtyard) and its premises become the venue of the fair, where the culture, arts and crafts of Kerala come alive. Festival highlights: • Arts and crafts fair • Kathakali . Thiruvathirakali • Mohiniattam • Oppana • Kalaripayattu Sarpapattu • Theyyam • Kummattikali • Kakkarisi natakam Panchavadyam • Chakyarkoothu • Ottanthullal

Flavour Food Festival (April)
Renowned hotels from across Kerala participate in this week long international festival of the various cuisines of the world held at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, Thiruvananthapuram.