Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of the country but houses 3.43% of the the country's population.
In 1956, when the states were reorganized, Kerala was formed after tying the princely states of Travancore and Cochin with Malabar, a province under Madras state.
It is a purified world in Kerala, the land of trees. A big, spreading tree purifies as much air as a room air-conditioner and the former is never switched off. The prolific, bustling, vegetation acts like a massive, biological, air-filtration plant working round the clock, round the year. Hence spending days in Kerala countryside is as if spending in an air-purified environs, some times better than it. So is the rejuvenating effect of the lush greenery of the state.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers (41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing} crisscross the state physique along with countless runlets. During summer, these monsoon-fed rivers will turn into rivulets especially in the upper parts of Kerala.
Kerala may be divided into three geographical regions:
1. High lands
2. Midlands and
3. Lowlands.
- The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and other spices.
- The Midlands lying between the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, areca nut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetables of myriad varieties are grown in this area.
Thus, on a sojourn in Kerala, away from the rough and tumble of cities, you're breathing freshly purified air all the time. Flora: Kerala has over 25% of India's 15,000 plant species. Among them include endangered and rare species, flowering plants, fungies, lichens and mosses. The state's forest wealth include tropical wet evergreen, semi-green and tropical most deciduous. Teak, Mahogany, Rosewood and Sandalwood are common, the forests abound with orchids, anthirium, balsam, and medicinal plants. banyan figs, bamboo as well as 40,000 years old grasslands. Mangroves are seen in coastal areas and low, morass lands. So fertile is the state, thanks to rivers and dams that are replenished by copious rain in Western Ghats.
Historical Kerala
- Kerala is truly the undiscovered India.
- It is God's own country and an enchantingly beautiful, emerald-green sliver of land.
- It is a tropical paradise far from the tourist trial at the southwestern peninsular tip, sandwiched between the tall mountains and the deep sea.
- Kerala is a long stretch of enchanting greenery.
- The tall exotic coconut palm dominates the landscape.
There is a persistent legend which says that Parasuram, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity, stood on a high place in the mountains, threw an axe far in to the sea, and commanded the sea to retreat and the land that emerged all from the waters became Kerala, the land of plenty and prosperity.
Kerala is a 560-km long narrow stretch of land. At the widest, Kerala is a mere 120-km from the sea to the mountains. Gracing one side of Kerala, are the lofty mountains ranging high to kiss the sky. And on the other side the land is washed by the blue Arabian Sea waters. The land is covered with dense tropical forest, fertile plains, beautiful beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts, an intricate maze of backwaters, still bays and an astounding 44 glimmering rivers. Kerala's exotic spices have lured foreigners to her coast from time immemorial.
Earlier, Kerala was made up of three distinct areas.
- Malabar as far up the coast as Tellicherry, Cannanore and Kasargode with the tiny pocket-handkerchief French possession of Mahe nearby (it was returned to India in the early 1950 's and is now administratively part of Pondicherry). This area belonged to what was once called the Madras Presidency under the British.
- The middle section is formed by the princely State of Cochin.
- The third comprises Travancore, another princely State.
Early Inhabitants of Kerala
- Archaeologists believe that the first citizens of Kerala were the hunter-gatherers, the ting Negrito people. These people still inhabit the mountains of southern India today, consequently, they had a good knowledge of herbal medicine and were skilled in interpreting natural phenomena.
- The next race of people in Kerala were believed to be the Austriches. The Austric people of Kerala are of the same stock as the present-day Australian Aborigines. They were the people who laid the foundation of Indian civilizations and introduced the cultivation of rice and vegetables, which are still part of Kerala scene. They also introduced snake-worship in Kerala. Traces of such worship and ancient rites have been found among the Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Austric features can still be seen fairly and clearly among the people of Kerala today.
- Then came the Dravidians (The Mediterranean people). Dravidian absorbed many of the beliefs of the Negrito and Austric people, but they were strongly inclined to the worship of the Mother Goddess in all her myriad forms: Protector, Avenger, Bestower of wealth, wisdom and arts.
- The Dravidians migrated to the southwards, carrying their civilization with them, though leaving their considerable cultural input on their successors, the Aryans (Indo - Iranians). But Kerala is still strongly influenced by the Dravidian culture: urbane, cash-crop and trade oriented, and with strong maternalistic biases. The Aryans have made a deep impression on Kerala in late proto-historic times.
- Jewish and Arabs trade's were the first to come to Kerala sailing in the ships to set up trading stations. The Apostle of Christ, St. Thomas is believed to have come to Muziris in AD 52 and established the first church in Kerala .
- Portuguese discovered the sea route to India from Europe when Vasco DA Gama landed with his ship near Kappad in Calicut in AD 1498. Slowly the Kerala society became a mix of people belonging to various sects of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. The arrival of Portuguese was followed by the Dutch, the French and finally the British.
The Modern State of Kerala
- The modern State of Kerala was created in 1956, when all the States in the country were reorganized on a linguistic basis.
- Malayalam (a palindrome) is the official language. Kerala is the smallest of the four southern States, but with the highest density in population.
- Keralites are proud to tell you that it has the highest literacy rate in the country (100 percent).
- The lowest rate of infant mortality and the leading female-to-male ratio (1,032 females to every 1,000 males), significant in a country where the gender bias is marked.
- Kerala also made history, when in 1957 it became the first State in the world to democratically elect a Marxist Government. Since then it has been ruled by various political parties from time to time and today politics continues to dominate conversation.
Festivals of Kerala
The colorful mosaic of Kerala festivals and fairs is as diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of life.
Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.
New attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm. It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions.....a time to rejoice.
Onam Festival
- Onam is the most famous festival of Kerala.
- All Malayali's irrespective of religion celebrates it.
- It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). I
- t is the harvest festival of Kerala.
- Legend states that Onam is celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and was pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala) by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana.
- Onam is celebrated as a national festival of Kerala.
- It synchronizes with the tourist week celebration, which starts formally on the day of Atham asterism.
- The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season. Children go around collecting flowers and decorate them in the front portion of the house in various designs and patterns.
- The most important days of the Onam festival are Uthradom and Thiruvonam days.
- On the latter, a grand feast is held in every home.
- Onam also provides an occasion for family get-together among the Keralites. It's a perfect example for the religious harmony of the state.
- This is a typical keralite festival of boat races.
- It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal, which commemorates the visit of former Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey.
- Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual and Champakulam, which has a religious significance.
- The later commemorates an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.
- Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July.
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August.
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Mannar, Aranmula and Thiruvandoor.
Vishu
- The first month of Malayalam Calendar is Medam (April-May) and the first day of Medam is celebrated as Vishu, the New Year day.
- Begin an auspicious day, it is a common belief that the fortune of the coming year depends on the first day. So the first day begins with ceremony of Kani Kanal, which literally means first sight.
- At the dawn, the Malayali's begin the first day of the Year by waking up in front of Kani. The Kani includes gold ornament, white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil lamps emitting sparkling light their eyes. Another interesting features of this day are Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the younger ones.
- Hindus celebrate Mahasivarathri, all over the world in Kumbam (Feb-March).
- It commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda visham) to save the world from destruction.
- The offering of special pooja and abhishekhams, and the presentation of cultural programmes in all the Shiva temples celebrate the day.
- The annual Sivarathri festival held on the banks of River Periyar at Alwaye, is one of the most spectacular local festivals of Kerala, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the state. It has been compared to the Kumbamela at Prayag.
- Literally Navarathri means Nine nights.
- This festival is celebrated for Navagraha Naayagi (Nine nymphs).
- It is called by different names in different parts of India. In Karnataka, it is called Dasara, in Bengal - Kali Pooja and in this state it is known as Saraswathy Pooja. Saraswathy is known as goddess of Knowledge.
- On this day all tools and books are kept for Pooja.
- Children who are to begin their schooling are made to write the first alphabet in rice with their finger.
- The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great importance on this day.
- It is held in the month of Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples where special Pooja and cultural programmes are held.
- This festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (Nov -Dec).
- Display of light in the evening is a unique part of the festival.
- Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu (December-January) and is a women's festival.
- It commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the cupid of Hindu mythology. The aim of the celebration is conjugal harmony and happiness.
- The dance form Thiruvathirkkali is associated with this celebration.
- Pooram Festival - Meenum (March-April)
- Sabarimala Festivals - Vrishikam (November-December)
- Ashtami at Vaikom - Kumbham (February-March)
- Thrissur Pooram - Medam (April-May)
Christian Religious Festivals
Christmas
- All Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ on 25th Dec.
- Holy Mass is held in all the churches in the state.
- Carol singing, setting up of Christmas tree in all churches and homes, exchanges of cards and receiving gifts from Santa Claus are all integral part of the festivities associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
- There is a feast in every Christian home with meat as a special item, and the celebrations of Christmas leave good memories in every heart.
- This is another important festival of Christians, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Easter usually falls in March-April, after 40 days lent of fast and penance.
- Christians go for mid-night mass, as a memory of the resurrection of Jesus, 2000 years ago.
- St.George's Church, Edathwa - 27 April to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Church, Arathungal - 20th January to 31st January
- St George's Church, Aruvithura - 22nd to 24th April
- St Thomas Shrine, Malayattur - Last week of March or first week of April
- St Mary's Orthodox Church, Manarcad - Sepember 1st to 9th
- Parumala, Mannar
- Maramon Convention
Muslim Religious Festivals
Bakrid
- The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering of his only son as a sacrifice in obedience to God's command.
- The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day.
- The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and distribute it among Frieds, relatives and the poor.
- The famous Haj is performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.
- Idul Fitr is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during the day and spend the major part of the night prayer.
- Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the birth of the prophet.
- This celebration has acquired its present dimensions only in recent times. Previously the day was observed by the Muslims by reading what is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings of the prophet or some saint.
- Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of Muharram the forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.
- The Chandankudam at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most colourful of Muslim festival in Kerala.
- It is said to be the death anniversary of Beema Beeevi, a devout pilgrim lady who came to Kerala from Mecca.
- The festival begins on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar of the Hijira Era (October) and lasts ten days.
- Carrying earthen posts smeared with sandal wood paste and the mouth of the pot tightly closed with a Jasmine garland around the edges, thousands of pilgrims go around the mosque and the hallowed tomb of the devout lady in procession.
- Then the earthen port with money is placed at the tomb as an offering.
- Jarram Nercha - Thervath Mosque, Pallanchathanur
- Nercha Festival - Ottapalam Mosque
- Jarram Nercha - Theruvath Mosque
- Malappuram Nercha - Malappuram Mosque
- Kodikuthu Festival - Kanjiramattom Mosque
- Chandanakkudam Festival- Beemapalli, Thiruvananthapuram
Alleppey (Allaphuzha) - Boat races
- Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula and Thiruvandoor near Chengannur during Onam festival in Septmeber
- Sivagiri Festival at Varkala, in the month of Decemeber
- St.George's Church festival in Edathwa from 27 April to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Church in, Arathungal from 20th January to 31st January
- Utram festival at Tripunithura in the month of February
- Sivarathri Festival at Aluva Manappuram in the month of February
- Sankaracharaya Jayanthy in the month of May at Kalady
- St. George Ferona Church Festival at Edappally, in the month of May
- Ashtami at Vaikom in November
- St Thomas Shrine festival at Malayattur in March / April
- Kodikuthu Festival at Kanjiramattom Mosque 25 km from Kochi
- St George's Church festival in Aruvithura in the month of April
- St Mary's Orthodox Church at Manarcad in the month of September
- Malappuram Nercha in Malappuram Mosque
- Nercha Festival in Ottapalam Mosque
- Makara Vilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple in January
- Pathishtadinam.at Sabarimala in the month of June
- Ochirakali - A festival of martial Arts at Ochira in June
- Madalam Festival at Sabarimala Temple in November
- Madala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple in December
- Annual Parumala Perunnal at Parumala Church, 11 km from Thiruvalla
- Maramon Convention in Maramon- Asia's largest Christian gathering,in the month of February.
- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Kodiyettu at Guruvayoor in March
- Ashtami Festival & Elephant races at Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in March
- Thrissur Pooram at Trissur in April
- Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha Temple in the month of April
- Krishna Jayanthi at Guruvayoor in October
- Ekadasi festival at Guruvayoor in December
- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Onam Tourism week in the month of August -Septembert
- Mahanavami - Dance & Music Festival in the month of October
- Chandanakkudam Festival in Beemapalli
Kerala, once a land of small kingdoms, had witnessed several pitched battles. Few in the state commemorate the war victories of their forefathers. However, people of Chittor in Palakkad district had assimilated a story of triumph into their cultural veins and in every February (on first Monday after the dark lunar in Kumbam, Malayalam calendar) they remember a war they had fought and won; Konganpada, the only war festival in the state. The history of this festival is interwoven with myths.
Konganpada recollects a war the Chittor Nairs fought against King Rajadhi Raja of Kong dynast from Coimbathore in which the former won. Chittorians believe that Goddess Bhagavathy saved them from the Chola King.
(According to historical version Kings of Kongu attacked Palakkad and the King of Kochin with the help of Zamorins defeated them. and Konganpada is being celebrated to keep alive that great victory. The festival begins with chilambu; recalling Konganpada’s declaration of the war and a perturbed Chittor people thronging the Goddess Bhagavathy pleading to save them from the ordeal. Next morning a flag is hoisted indicating their readiness for the war.
When dusk falls, people gather near the temple premise ands after three popgun shots march to a place supposed to be the battleground. Oracle leads the procession while others hold torches. At midnight the procession returns from the battleground. Next morning procession resumes from a nearby kavu, this time with colour and festivity. Girls are being paraded in men’s wear (kolam) on the ground that the Goddess encountered the Konganpada in man’s robs. Cultural programmes are also staged in the pageant. In the evening the procession encircles the temple and a messenger from Konganpada reads scroll declaring the war. About 10pm Kongan appears and the symbolic war begins. Rival groups run the horses to and fro to recreate a battlefield- like situation. After this Kongan team retreats. A few persons feign death whose bodies are being taken back to their wailing relatives. Later the festival ends with an hour-long percussion. This may be one of the bizarre festivals in the state.
Maramon Convention
The largest Convention in Asia, Maramon is held on the sands of River Pampa, at Kozhancheri, near Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district. Every year tens of thousands of Christians attend the convention to hear the Word of God and seek His grace. Erudite orators from various countries address the 10-day long convention. Of the years Maramon has become a meeting place of culture and tradition.Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunnath Abraham Maplah, a 19th century leader of the Syrian Church of Malabar.Preaching and Bible studies occupy the major part of the conference Along with the religious discourse, special prayers for indisposed are also held.
Nellikulangara Vallanghi Vela
A festival unfurling the cultural faces of Palakkad villages which are still under Tamil sway. The festival at the Bhagavathi temple at Vallanghi in Chittur is in fact a competition between two villages-Vallangi and Nenmara- to propitiate the Goddess. Both villages, in their effort to excel the other leave no stone unturned. The main festival is on 20th Meenam (March-April).One of the attractions is the grand procession carrying the image of Bhagavathi on bedecked elephant escorted by the temple oracle, and devotees. The competition spirit of the villagers goes up every year. So is the pomp and pageantry of the festival. The flag-hoisting ceremony is held jointly by the Vallanghi and Nenmara on the 9th Meenam, 11 days prior to the festival. During the festival days art forms such as Kummatti, Karivela and Andivelaare staged. The festival is a rare occasion to see the dying folk art forms of the state.
Thiruvaathira Festival
The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious. Tradition says thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva, the mythological God of Love. According to another version, Thiruvathira is the birthday of Lord Shiva. The festival has similarities to adra darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu. On the festival day, women discard rice meal, but only take preparations of chama (panicum miliaceum) or wheat. The day's menu include plantain fruits and tender coconuts. They chew betel and redden their lips. A custom that women should chew 108 betel on the day had prevailed among Namboodiris, Ambalavasis (temple-servants) and Nairs ( all Hindu communities). The first thiruvathira after the marriage of a girl is known as puthenthiruvathira or poothiruvathira( new thiruvathira). Oonjalattom, (swinging on an oonjal (swing) is another amusement women engage themselves with. During the chilly night, women keep vigil for God Shiva and stage Thiruvathirakali, a bewitching dance form. Pretty girls in traditional attire circle around a lighted brass lamp, and step to the rhythm of the songs they sing, clapping their hands. Pathirappoochoodal,( wearing of flowers at midnight) is still prevalent among women belonging to Namboodiri, Ambalavasis (temple servants) and Nair communities. That thiruvathira is still being celebrated with pomp vouch for the enviable position Kerala women enjoyed in the society. The status she occupied at home and in the society had influenced the state's social structure, customs and religious practices.
Oaachira Kettukazhcha
Oachira, near Kayamkulam, has emblazoned its name in the chronicle of war. Battle of Kayamkulam, a watershed event in the history of Travancore, was fought between Marthandavarma, the Maharaja of Travancore and Raja of Kayamkulam. Oachirakkali, commemorating the war,' is conducted in the beginning of Mithunam (June-July) every year.
Nilamperoor Padayani
A festival that reflects the tradition and the culture of rural Kerala, Padayani is being held at Nilamperoor Bhagavathikkavu at Kuttanad in Alapuzha. Kolamkettu (making of effigies) and Kollamthullal (a ritual dance performed by carrying the effigies) are the main attractions of the festival. The chief kolams displayed are of Shiva, Bhima and Ravana. The 16-day festival begins on Thiruvonam day in Chingam (August-September) and ends on Pooram day, the main day in the festival. In Ezhunnellippu, a procession carrying the Kolams (deities)-another event of the festival- idols along with effigies of swans are being carried to the festival ground amid vociferous clamour and outcries from the throng. The tempo of the festival touches its peak with dazzling pyrotechnics. The kolams are brought before the Kavu and after some rites kept in its corner.
Kerala Village Fair Every year, for the lush villages around Kovalam, mid January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatched houses are decorated during the ten- day festival. The fair becomes a single window for selling Kerala artifacts. The fair nights ladle out folk dances, music and cultural programmes.
Kalapathy Chariot Festival (Ratholsav)
Conquer the depths of the ocean. One of the finest dive sites in the world. If deep is too scary, then snorkeling is your option. If underwater is daunting, then ride the waves with a surfboard or a water scooter. Celebrated in the second week of every November. During the festival season, the Vishwanatha temple and the agraharas (traditional houses) of settler Tamil Brahmins at Kalpathy village will submerge in a sea of devotees. The religious fervour will reach its crescendo when the Brahmins carry the rathams to the temple premise, an age-old ritual that is gaining popularity with every passing year. Five major rathams (car, chariot) are being dragged in the flamboyant procession accompanied by caparisoned elephants and percussion. The script chanting Vedic scholars maintain the religious tempo of the festival. Residents of each agrahara here have their own rathams. Historians reason that the festival is older than Thirssure pooram, initiated by Sakthan Thampuran. Myths are woven around the history of the festival. One among them say, a Palakkad lady, who had sacrificed material pleasures for worshipping Lord Shiva, left for Kasi Vishwanatha temple. She, it is believed, returned years later with an idol of God Shiva and met the then Palakkad King and requested him to install the idol at the Vishwanatha temple at Kalpathy. She also believed to have given gold coins to the King to meet the expense of daily poojas, and requested to celebrate the temple festival every year on the lines of the car festival at Mayuram temples in Tamil Nadu. Ratham, mad of wood, is a tower having the height of a three-storied building. Carved rathams have sculptures reminiscent of the Shivaleelas and Vishnuleelas, depicted on the walls of the Chidambarum and Avinashi temples of Tamil Nadu. The festival is also seen an attempt of the Tamil Brahmins to preserve their cultural identity.
Rajesh Nair
