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| BACK TO FESTIVALS |
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| ONAM: The national festival of kerala , Onam synchronizes with tourism week celebrations. It falls in the month of Chingam(August/September)which marks Kerala's New Year.The Onam celebration formally starts on the day of atham.Athappoo (floral decorations) is done artistically in front of every home. As harvest brings prosperity to every family, the entire state exudes with dances, feasting and boat races. All the district capitals and other tourist spots are illuminated and provided with entertainments from a tourist point of view. An interesting pageant of this festivity is the snake boat race held at Alappuzha, Kochi, Kumarakom, Chambakkulom, Niretupuram,Aranmula,etc .According to legends, Onam represents the home coming of King Mahabali who ruled over Kerala in an age of plenty. He was pushed down to infernal regions, allegedly for his pride, by vamana who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.The rain tapers off in August around the time of Onam, which is equivalent to the Western Christmas and New Year. However, if visitors wish to come to Kerala at this time, they may stay at Thiruvananthapuram to enjoy an exciting week of colourful performances. During Onam, Keralites from the world over, return to their families, to feast, exchange new clothes, attend dance performances and boat races.
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| SHIVARATHRY: |
| "Shivarathry" (the night of Lord Shiv), when devotees meditate on the cosmic dance of Shiv throughout the night. Its a season of festivals: when theatre, dance and music performances echo throughout nights. Imagine thousands of temples with elaborate rites, elephant processions- almost daily, chanting of hymns, musical, theatrical or dance performances. Kathakali actors move from temple to temple for all night shows.
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| NAVARATHRI: |
| Held in october the festival of "Navarathri" celebrating Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning and Art, and the consort of Brahma, the Creator. Two days preceding the celebrations (also called Vijaya Dashami), students do not read, write nor study any form of art or academic assignments on the day of "Saraswathi pooja", the first book read is a line of Ramayana also taken as a prediction for the year.
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| DEEPAVALI AND KARTHIKA: |
| Two famed festivals of the light: Deepavali in October and Karthika in December. Thousands of miniature oil lamps are lit everywhere at sunset. Deepvali comes and goes with the fireworks of a lifetime.
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CHRISTMAS: Celebrated more in Central Travancore of Kerala than anywhere in India,due to the highest concentration of christians here.Christmas carols and Fireworks are much awaited for ,in this season.
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