- Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race
- Arthunkal Perunnal
- Thaipooya Mahotsavam
- Chettikulangara Bharani
- Edathua Perunnal
- Champakulam Boat Race
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- Payippad Boat Race
- Neelamperoor Padayani
Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race
Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race is a striking water sport celebrated on the rolling backwaters of Alappuzha District, Kerala. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km from Alappuzha. Every year, the boat race is conducted on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The colourful water procession, water floats and boat races are the main attractions. The winners are awarded Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trophy, which was instituted in memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race is a striking water sport celebrated on the rolling backwaters of Alappuzha District, Kerala. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km from Alappuzha. Every year, the boat race is conducted on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The colourful water procession, water floats and boat races are the main attractions. The winners are awarded Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trophy, which was instituted in memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
Arthunkal Perunnal
Arthunkal Perunnal, the feast of St. Sebastian, is a 10-day festival which falls sometime in the beginning of January. Thousands of pilgrims who have belief in St. Sebastian's blessings and miracles come here for the feast. He is a patron for serious illness and protects devotees from critical accidents. The highlights of the concluding day of the festival include an extraordinary ritual where devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church. Devotees who have received special favours from the saint do this ritual known as 'Urulal nercha', and make offerings of silver replicas of human limbs, bows and arrows etc. Afterwards there is a ceremonial procession to the beach.
Arthunkal Perunnal, the feast of St. Sebastian, is a 10-day festival which falls sometime in the beginning of January. Thousands of pilgrims who have belief in St. Sebastian's blessings and miracles come here for the feast. He is a patron for serious illness and protects devotees from critical accidents. The highlights of the concluding day of the festival include an extraordinary ritual where devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church. Devotees who have received special favours from the saint do this ritual known as 'Urulal nercha', and make offerings of silver replicas of human limbs, bows and arrows etc. Afterwards there is a ceremonial procession to the beach.
Thaipooya Mahotsavam
The Thaipooya Mahotsavam, a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Harippad, Alappuzha district. On the day of the festival, hundreds of devotees carry Kavadies or wooden arches richly decorated with peacock feathers, tapestry or artificial flowers, on a ceremonious procession to the temple and dance in abandon unfolding a magnificent spectacle in the temple precincts. Thousands of small traditional oil lamps fixed on the outer walls of the temple are lit on the festival night.
The Thaipooya Mahotsavam, a one-day festival dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Harippad, Alappuzha district. On the day of the festival, hundreds of devotees carry Kavadies or wooden arches richly decorated with peacock feathers, tapestry or artificial flowers, on a ceremonious procession to the temple and dance in abandon unfolding a magnificent spectacle in the temple precincts. Thousands of small traditional oil lamps fixed on the outer walls of the temple are lit on the festival night.
Chettikulangara Bharani
The annual festival held in the Malyalam month of Kumbham is one of the most well-known festivals of Kerala. The festival and the temple are dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The highlight of the festival is the Kettukazhcha processions, in which brightly decorated structures are taken on chariots. By dusk, these wonderful structures, the smaller ones designed as chariots and the bigger ones as horses, gather up in a nearby field and devotees throng here from far and near to watch this beautiful event.
The annual festival held in the Malyalam month of Kumbham is one of the most well-known festivals of Kerala. The festival and the temple are dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The highlight of the festival is the Kettukazhcha processions, in which brightly decorated structures are taken on chariots. By dusk, these wonderful structures, the smaller ones designed as chariots and the bigger ones as horses, gather up in a nearby field and devotees throng here from far and near to watch this beautiful event.
Edathua Perunnal
The Edathua Church, established in 1810, is a massive shrine on the banks of river Pamba and dedicated to St. George. On this day, the image of the saint, decked in gold is carried out in procession to be placed on the dais at the centre of the basilica. Processions and cultural performances are held everyday including dazzling firework displays in the initial as well as during the concluding days. Another highlight of the festival is the swarming of vendors and stalls in the premises of the church, selling all kinds of things from food items to utensils. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the feast which lasts for one month.
The Edathua Church, established in 1810, is a massive shrine on the banks of river Pamba and dedicated to St. George. On this day, the image of the saint, decked in gold is carried out in procession to be placed on the dais at the centre of the basilica. Processions and cultural performances are held everyday including dazzling firework displays in the initial as well as during the concluding days. Another highlight of the festival is the swarming of vendors and stalls in the premises of the church, selling all kinds of things from food items to utensils. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the feast which lasts for one month.
Champakulam Boat Race
The Champakulam boat race is held at Champakulam, about 26 km from Alappuzha. Champakkulam boat race is the first in the list of all boat races that are held in Kerala. The Champakkulam boat race of Kerala is held according to the Malayalam calendar. Usually, it is held on Moolam Vallamkali. Moolam signifies a Malayalam star or Nakshathram of the month Mithunam. In Kerala, Champakkulam boat race is held on the river Pampa. It is regarded as the oldest in all boat races. Since it is the most popular of all boat races, the turn over of people who come to witness the event is huge. The Champakkulam boat race has an interesting legend behind it.
The Champakulam boat race is held at Champakulam, about 26 km from Alappuzha. Champakkulam boat race is the first in the list of all boat races that are held in Kerala. The Champakkulam boat race of Kerala is held according to the Malayalam calendar. Usually, it is held on Moolam Vallamkali. Moolam signifies a Malayalam star or Nakshathram of the month Mithunam. In Kerala, Champakkulam boat race is held on the river Pampa. It is regarded as the oldest in all boat races. Since it is the most popular of all boat races, the turn over of people who come to witness the event is huge. The Champakkulam boat race has an interesting legend behind it.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the greatest event on the backwaters of Kerala. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year. This Snake Boat Race is an aquatic festival that fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also. The Myth goes that on Panditji’s way to Alleppey from Kottayam the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats, gave him a roaring reception.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the greatest event on the backwaters of Kerala. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year. This Snake Boat Race is an aquatic festival that fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also. The Myth goes that on Panditji’s way to Alleppey from Kottayam the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats, gave him a roaring reception.
Payippad Boat Race
Watch the exciting spectacle of the Payippad Boat Race set the Payippad river afire. Conducted annually at Payippadu, en-route to Harippad. The boat races of Kerala are those unique events that you can never find anywhere else in the world, and Payippad boat race is a three-day long regatta that literally thrills the little village of Payippad in Alappuzha district. The first two pageantries are held on the two days prior to the major event, which is held two days after the Thiruvonam day. The attractions of the event include snake boat races, extravagant water pageants with floats, decorated boats and many folk art performances.
Watch the exciting spectacle of the Payippad Boat Race set the Payippad river afire. Conducted annually at Payippadu, en-route to Harippad. The boat races of Kerala are those unique events that you can never find anywhere else in the world, and Payippad boat race is a three-day long regatta that literally thrills the little village of Payippad in Alappuzha district. The first two pageantries are held on the two days prior to the major event, which is held two days after the Thiruvonam day. The attractions of the event include snake boat races, extravagant water pageants with floats, decorated boats and many folk art performances.
Neelamperoor Padayani
Neelamperoor Padayani is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelamperoor near Kottayam. Palli Bhagavathy Temple is situated at Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), 16 km away from Kottayam. During the pooram festival, decorated motifs of Swans; both large and small, form part of the Kettukazcha the symbolic offering made to the Goddess. These are then carried in a procession, on the main day of the festival in which bigger ones are moved on platforms with wooden wheels and smaller ones carries
Neelamperoor Padayani is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelamperoor near Kottayam. Palli Bhagavathy Temple is situated at Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), 16 km away from Kottayam. During the pooram festival, decorated motifs of Swans; both large and small, form part of the Kettukazcha the symbolic offering made to the Goddess. These are then carried in a procession, on the main day of the festival in which bigger ones are moved on platforms with wooden wheels and smaller ones carries