Experience Kerala festivals such as Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Theyyam, temple celebrations, and boat races, with a closer look at the traditions behind each event.
Kerala’s festivals bring together music, ritual, food, art, elephants, boats, and entire communities. Discover the stories behind Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Theyyam, temple celebrations, and boat races, while checking local dates before you travel.
Browse by category or district, then open a listing for its recorded details and sources. Use the report link on a listing to flag information that needs review.
Sacred ritual procession where the temple deity is taken to the sea for ceremonial bath, featuring traditional temple music, royal customs, and ancient spiritual practices.
Local community festival showcasing hill station culture, spice heritage, and traditional celebrations in the scenic spice gardens of Idukki.
The District Administration lists Aluva Sivarathri in Aluva during Kumbham, generally February–March.
Ambalapuzha Arattu is an annual ten-day festival at Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, culminating in the Arattu procession.
Details withheld pending official source review.
Held on the Pamba River at Aranmula on Uthrittathi in Chingam, the annual race features traditional boats called Palliyodams. Kerala Tourism describes it as a devotional offering to Lord Krishna; the Gregorian date varies each year.
At Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Valla Sadya is a ritual feast for snake-boat rowers during the Malayalam month of Chingam, around Ashtami Rohini. Kerala Tourism describes a meal of up to 64 dishes and rowers using Vanchippattu to request servings.
The oldest pooram in Kerala featuring massive elephant processions, traditional arts, and celebrating the rich temple festival traditions of Thrissur region.
Attukal Pongala is the main offering ritual within the annual 10-day celebration at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. Kerala Tourism describes Pongala cooked in earthen pots from rice, jaggery, coconut and plantain; participants prepare the offering in the area around the temple. The festival falls in the Malayalam months of Makaram–Kumbham, usually February–March, so the exact date and event arrangements vary by year. Devotional meaning belongs to worshippers' tradition rather than a historical or scientific claim; check the temple's annual notice for the current date.
Beemapalli Uroos is an annual festival honoring Beema Beevi and her son, with religious ceremonies including flag hoisting.
Kerala Tourism says Kottankulangara Chamayavilakku is held on the 10th and 11th of Meenam at Kottankulangara Devi Temple in Chavara. Men dress in women’s attire and carry traditional lamps in procession.
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is held on the Pamba River during the Moolam period.
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