The festivals form part of each temple's annual rituals. They're often a tribute to the temple's presiding god, who emerges from inside the temple once a year. Each festival has a different set of legends and myths behind it, depending on the temple god.
When are the Kerala Temple Festivals Celebrated:
From March to mid May, with each festival running for around 10 days.
Where are the Kerala Temple Festivals Celebrated:
At temples throughout the state of Kerala, in south India. The biggest and most colorful festival takes place at Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur and is called Thrissur Pooram. It happens during the Malayalam month of Medam (April/May). Another important temple festival not far from Thrissur is the Arattupuzha Pooram, which has around 60 elephants in attendance.
How are the Kerala Temple Festivals Celebrated:
While everyday temple rituals are modest, temple festivals take place on a grand scale and are a highlight on the social calenders of Kerala's population. The festivals feature large processions of bejeweled elephants, drummers and other musicians, colorful floats carrying gods and goddesses, and fireworks.
What Rituals are Performed During the Kerala Temple Festivals:
Detailed temple rituals are conducted by a tantri (the main temple priest) according to the temple god. Rituals involving the god statue in a Pallivetta (Royal Hunt) and Arattu (Holy Bath) are the focus of the festivals of some Kerala's major temples. During the Thrissur and Arattupuzha Poorams, gods from surroundings temples make their annual visit on elephant back to pay their respects to the presiding temple god.
What to Expect at the Kerala Temple Festivals:
Plenty of crowds, elephants, noise, and processions. Music is an important part of the temple celebrations and the frenetic percussionists, of which there are plenty, manage to whip up quite a sound. Cultural programs, including classical music and dance performances, are also on offer.
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