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Makaravilakku: For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India, more so from southern States. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme Self, enshrined at Sabarimala.

Makaravilakku is the annual festival held at Sabarimala, which attracts over half a million pilgrims each year. On the auspicious day of Makaravilakku day a Jewel Casket is brought from the Pandalam Palace and the Ayyappa Idol is adorned with these regal jewels. Symbolical of the festivities, it is seen that a Garuda, an auspicious bird hovers over the Jewel procession.

The evening pooja, Deeparadhana, is performed around 6.30 pm on Makarasankranthi day. The name refers to the lighting of a bright “vilakku” (lamp) three times on the hill beside the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala, which is a sign indicating the completion of the deeparadhana in Ponnambalamedu. An propitious polar star known as Makara star appears in the sky on this day.

Attukal Pongala: Attukal Pongala (Attukal Ponkala) is the most reputed festival of this temple, which attracts devotees from all parts of India. Tens of hundreds of women devotees throng together on the day of Pongala with their offerings to the Goddess and to seek blessings. The festival commences on Karthika day of Malayalam month Makaram-Kumbham (February-March).

Pongala festival is a ten-day long festival and on the 9th day of the festival is the famous Pongala. On that day, tens of hundreds of women throng to the temple to offer pongala in earthen pots. Pongala is a rice porridge, which boils over. The rush of women is so intense that the Pongala ground spreads outside the temple premises and into the public roads, and the courtyards of houses, government offices, bus and train station, etc.

Other activities during the ten-day festival include various ceremonial rituals like Kappukettu, during which the story of Goddess Kannagi (Kannaki) is recited. It is a musical recitation and goes on for the first nine days of the festival. The musical recitation of Kannagi’s story ends with the part of the Goddess annihilating the Pandya King. The story signifies victory of good over evil, light over darkness and justice over injustice. Immediately after the end of the recitation, it begins the rituals for Attukal Pongala, which begins with making fire in the temple hearth known as Pandara Aduppu. The fire will then be passed to the women ready to offer pongala and the same fire spreads to all the tens of thousands of women, who are offering pongala.

Mahashivaratri: The festival of Mahashivaratri is a festival celebrated by followers of the Hindu religion. As implied by the name ‘Mahashivaratri’, this festival is in celebration of Lord Shiva and the literal meaning of the festival’s name is “great(maha)night(ratri) of Shiva”. It is considered a very auspicious festival and is generally celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon during what is known as ‘Krishna Paksha’ as per the Hindu calendar (the months of February/March as per the English calendar). In Kerala, the Mahashivaratri festival is celebrated during the month of month of Kumbham (same months as the English calendar, namely February/March).

Legend of Mahashivaratri:
As per an old Hindu mythological legend, Lord Shiva danced a vigorous dance depicting creation, preservation and destruction – known famously as the Tandava Nritya. Lord Shiva is said to have saved the earth and its residents from complete destruction by drinking the poison which emerged during the churning of the oceans (referred to as Samudra Manthan).

Rituals of Mahashivaratri:
Devotees fast the entire day and do not sleep at all. They worship the Shiva lingam, bathing it with various items such as milk, honey, rose water, curds, etc. This ritual bath is given every 3 hours with the simultaneous recital of hymns and mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva, especially the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”. The main items used during the Mahashivaratri puja are: (1) bael leaves; (2)vermillion paste;(3)incense sticks; (4) diya (lamp); (5)betel leaves. Each of these items is used in turn during the worship of the Shiva lingam. For married women, Mahashivaratri is the day when they pray to Lord Shiva for the good health of their husbands.

Thrissur Pooram: Life in Kerala is punctuated by the annual festivals dedicated to village deities. These post-harvest festivals are an occasion to break out of the monotony of daily routine. The size and importance of this festival may vary from small gathering to mega spectacle like Thrissur pooram. There are other Pooram festivals in and around the central Kerala which may stand better than Thrissur pooram in some respect .But the beauty of Thrissur pooram is in every respect Thrissur pooram stands better than the best.

The Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the Mother of all Poorams, a culture highlight that towers above all other festivals .Thrissur pooram is a festival unique in its pageantry, magnitude and participation. It is not a mere temple festival in its strict sense but at the same time it is the festival of festivals of Kerala.

The Thrissur Pooram, celebrated in the Malayalam month Of Medom (April-May) is a grand assembly of Gods and Goddesses in and around Thrissur. These Gods and Goddesses make their visit to the Vadakumnathan Temple premises on caparisoned elephants accompanied by grand ensembles of Chenda melam and pancha vadyam.

The Ten participants of the Pooram are the Thiruvambady Bhagavathi and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi, Nethilakkavu Bhagavathi, Karamukku Bhagavathi, Ayyanthole Bhagavathi, Laloor Bhagavathi, Choorakkattukavu Bhagavathi, Chembukkavu Bhagavathi, Panamukkumpally Sastha, Kanimangalam Sastha. The processions and rituals of each of these deities follow a very strict itinerary, scheduled in such a way that the tempo of the Pooram celebrations – 36 hrs non-stop- is maintained without any loss of energy.

Vallamkali: Kerala, the land of backwaters, rivers and a long coast line depend on boats for their various needs and purposes. Fishing is a major industry and profession of the people. Baots of various size and shape are used by the people for their various needs. The boat races has evolved as a major sport in Kerala. The major attraction for tourists is cruising in the backwaters. Known as ‘Kettuvallam’, a finely decorated, house boat, with all amenities. Long before the upcoming of tourism industry, people of different regions enjoyed this sport, the boat race in special made boats like ‘Chundan Vallam’ otherwise known as snake boat. Vallamkali known as ‘Boat Race’ is performed with boat songs (Vanchipattu). It include devotional songs recited in a rhythmic tone to boost the participants or the paddlers. The leaders of the team will be standing on the end of the boat, steaming the minds of paddlers.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race:
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. The colourful boat pageantry, which precedes the boat race, is a marvelous treat to the onlookers. The snake boats with 100 to 120 oarsmen plough the waters to the tune of the legendary songs.

Jawaharlal Nehru who was enthralled by the charm and gaiety of the water carnival instituted the Nehru Trophy. This boat race attracts a large number of tourists.

The Aranmula Boat Pageant:
Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali is conducted in the Pamba River in front of Sri Parthasarathi Temple. Though, large snake boats take part in this festival they do not race with each other. Instead, they row in union, to the accompaniment of songs and reach their destination together because Lord Krishna is believed to be present in each boat. Since 1971 this procession has taken the present form of a race conducted by the Palliyoda Seva Sangh.