Onam, the national festival of Kerala marks its beginning with Athachamayam celebration in Tripunithura.

Origin of Athachamayam Festival
The History of Athachamayam festival dates back to the regime of the Raja of kochin in memory of his glorious victory. He started to celebrate with a procession from Tripunithura to Thrikkakara Vamanaswamy Temple on Athachamayam day. In every year, the people of Tripunithura celebrate the festival to memorise the victory even though the Kingship had ended.

Main Tourist attractions
The Athachamayam festival is marked by its magnificient procession that includes diverse cultural art forms of Kerala like Theyyam, Kathakali, Bharathanaatyam, Kaavadi, Mohiniyaattam . The parade is vivid with traditional displays like Pamba Melam, Pulikali, Karakaattam, with band sets and ornamented elephants.

Former Athachamayam Festival Dates
In this year (2012)  Athachamayam  is celebrated on 21st of August.
In the previous years it was celebrated on13th August on 2010 and 31st august on 2011.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Tripunithura, a village situated near to the city of Cochin, is famous for tourist attractions.
• The Poornathrayeesa Temple, devoted to lord santhanagopala –an avatar of Sri Krishna is one the main attractions in the region.
• Kali Kotta palace: situated close to the temple it was served as an auditorium to the Kings of Cochin for their amusement.
• The Hill palace museum: The museum situates in Tripunithura – Chottanikkara road,  is famous for its archaeological significance .  It displays the ancient properties like coins, murals and monuments of the Royal family of Kochi.

Route to Thripunithura
Unlike other tourist centres one can reach Tripunithura without much effort.

By Road
Thripunithura situates 12 K.M. away from Cochin in south-east direction.  Apart from this Tripunithura is closely connected with many other main towns in Kerala .

By Train
Tourist can access by train as the Ernakulam – Trivandrum railway is passing through Thripunithura. Thripunithura railway station is operating under the Southern railway. Malabar Express(Trivandrum-Mangalore), Mumbai-Kanyakumari Express, Thiruvananthapuram-shoranur (Venda Express) ,Thiruvananthapuram-Bilaspur Express are passing through Thripunithura railway station

By Air
Nedumbasserry Airport well known as Kochi International Airport situates nearly to Thripunithura.

Kalpathy Ratholsavam

Kalpathy Ratholsavam is a 10-day festival and begins with the Dwajarohanam (flag hoisting) and ends with Rathasangamom.  The festival is observed during the last week of Aippasi Month. The festival organized by Tamil Brahmins settled in and around Kalpathy Village attracts thousands of visitors.

The most important days during the  festival are the last three days. When chariots from different temples are pulled around. The main deities of this ancient temple, situated by the side of Kalpathy river, are Lord Siva and his consort Visalakshi, which is another name for Goddess Parvati. As part of the festival, deities are taken out from the temple and are placed in chariots that have been beautifully decorated.

Major attraction of the festival is the three magnificent chariots, decorated with flowers and flags, in which one can feel the presence of the lord. While the first chariot is meant jointly for the main deities, Lord Vishwanatha and Goddess Visalakshi, the second is meant for Lord Vigneswara and third chariot is for Lord Subramanya  Vedic recitals are held daily and cultural programs and classical musical concert  are also held in the evening.

The temple is about 3 kms from Palakkad and about 55 kms from Coimbatore airport. The temple is well connected by rails. Olavokot railway station is just 1 km from the temple.

Soorya was started in Thiruvananthapuram 35 years ago at a time when there was no art or cultural society in the state. Soorya is now heading towards the 35th year of its dedicated service for the cause of promotion of art and culture. The aim of Soorya is to educate and enlighten the people about the value of Indian tradition, culture and world cinema. Soorya became a cultural organization concerned with screening of good films, presenting film directors and holding their retrospectives, holding seminars and discussions on cinema, conducting festivals of classical music and dance, theatre, painting, photography, handicrafts, talks, video and light and sound shows.

Soorya is a non-profit making non – commercial voluntary organization with no office building. Soorya’s working chapters now operate in almost 22 countries in Europe, Gulf and Asia. Soorya’s total membership exceeds 30,000.

Mr:Nataraja Krishnamoorthy or Soorya Krishnamoorthy was ex ISRO Scientist hailing from Kottayam. He praises Thiruvananthapuram People‘s cultural intelligence and rich inheritance. By profession he was engineer, it gave additional benefit to the technical aspects of programme presentation with ultimate perfection.

Soorya Krishnamoorthy had been voted as the Limca Man of the year 2003 and his activities have always been landmarks on Kerala’s cultural map.

Athachamayam procession starts from Atham Nagar near the Tripunithura Boys High School Ground, and returns to the same spot after going round the city. Various cultural programmes, trade fares and athapookkala competition ( floral carpet competition)as part of Athachamayam.

Traditionally, Athachamayam was closely linked to the royal family of Kochi. In the erstwhile kingdom of Kochi, it was the custom for the Maharaja to take out a triumphant march before his subjects, dressed in his royal attire and accompanied by his entourage in a spectacular procession, an occasion for the public to greet the king at close quarters.  Athachamayam was the official festival of Kingdom Of Kochi. This event, which was also meant to herald Onam, the festival of prosperity and communal harmony, came to be called Athachamayam. Even after the royal rule ended, Government of Kerala revived the glorious regal event and celebrations in which huge crowds participate to herald Onam and Atham and also commemorate the glory of the erstwhile kingdom of Kochi.

The art and craft of making this ceremonial bow is the sole preserve of the male, members of the Vilayil Veedu family at Karamana in Thiruvananthapuram. The family member observe a 41 day penance before the commencement of the work. The wood of Kadambu, maruthu, jackfruit and aanjili trees are cut in the required dimension, that is, 4.5ft, 3.5ft and 3ft in length, before being painted on. The villu are adorned with red tassels.

There is a very interesting legend behind the Onavillu related to King Mahabali and his tryst with Vamana. When he was being pushed down into earth by Vamana, King Mahabali requested him to reveal his true identity, upon which Lord Vishnu appeared before him. King Mahabali requested that he allowed to visit his beloved land every year and also that he would be able to see the Lord during the visit. Pleased by the King’s nobility, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon, but said that King Mahabali would be able to see him and his avatars only in the form of painted images. The divine architect Lord Vishwakarma was summoned to do the painting of Dasavatharam on pieces of Kadambu wood.Thus was born the Onavillu, even today put on display every year for King Mahabali to see. Each villu is dedicated to one diety: while the Ananthasayanam version of the villu is consecrated to Lord Padmanabha, the one with the Dasavathram painting is offered to Lord Narasimha and the villu showing the Krishnaleela is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Sreerama Pattabhishekam to Sree Rama.

The consecration of the Onavillu at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is an age-old tradition that has continued over the years from the 16th century. The ‘villu’ are first offered to the family deity at the Vilayil Veedu for three days. They are then  ceremoniously taken to Sri Padmanabha Swami temple on Thiruvonam day and displayed at the Natakasala before being offered to the deity. On the third day, the Onavillu are distributed to the devotees.

The festival is an offering of the people of Chettikulangara to their beloved deity for the blessings she showers on them for their devotion and unflinching faith.   The famed Kettukazhcha processions in which brightly decorated ettigies of the deities are taken on chariots, and the ‘Kuthiyottam’ (Procession of young boys who observe certain austerities) are major highlights of the Kumbhabharani festival is the most popular of the Kumbhabharani festivals held in Kerala’s Bhagavati temples.

The Kettukazhcha procession in which the incredibly gigantic structures are taken on chariots (Therus) is the major attraction of the festival. Excited crowds surround the sky-high structures carrying the deities, the air reverberating with chants and prayers. The effigies in the Kettukazhcha procession include six horses (Kuthiras),five chariots (and effigies of Bheema, Hanuman, and Panchali, all are brought to Chettikulangara from thirteen nearby places. The horses are 70 to 75 feet and are a union of four parts- Adikkoottu, Kathirakal, Edakkodaram, Prabhada and Melkkoodaram, one above the other respectively. Adikkottu forms the basic foundation which consists of four big  wooden wheels interconnected with four other beams above it. Kuthiras have Thandu, two long huge wooden poles to guide movement. The 35 foot high  Kathirakal consist of four long poles interconnected with Arecanut poles known as ‘Alaku’ and reinforced with coir  and Panavalli knots. They are decorated with glittering material and embellishments called ‘Thookku’ Prabhada consists of exquisite wooden carved sculptors narrating stories from Puranas. Edakkoodaram, also colourful and glittering, stands above the Kathirakal.The top-most structure is the pyramid-shaped Melkkoodaram is an extended long, sculpted
wooden pole in white colour known as ‘Nambu’. All the separate units are pulled up and placed one above the other with the help of wooden pulleys, gaint coir ropes (Vadams) over 100 feet in length and huge iron structures.

The wooden effigies of Bhima and Hanuman are probably the largest of their kind in the world and are surely the largest in Kerala. A sculpture of an old woman called ‘Eechadi Vallyamma’ also goes also goes along with the structure of Bheema. Kettukazhcha procession is accompanied by ‘Kuthiyottappattu’, which is a kind of song sung with the Kuttiyottam ritual. The Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha celebrates the architectural and aesthetic abilities of the people of Chettikulangara in the yesteryears, who sculputed these larger than life images through sheer collective effort and will power.

Preparations for constructing the Kettukazhchas begin from Sivarathri, about six to ten days prior to Kumbhabharani.

On the evening of Kumbhabharani, the Kettukazhchas are taken to the temple by hundreds of people, and are displayed in the paddy field near the temple. After Bhagavathi’s  procession, the Kettukazhxhas are taken back to the respective Karas by next morning. The dismantled parts of Kettukazhchas are kept at the ‘Kuthirappura’ of each  Karas.

The Holy Cross Church in Mapranam is believed to be established in AD 928 and reconstructed  in 1989. During the year in 1887 and 1888, the church received three holy remnants from Vatican.   In 2008, the church has got the status of shrine under the Diocese and a Historical Pilgrim Centre by  Govt.of Kerala .

The Church is situated at Mapranam,  in Thrissur district.  On Thrissur – Irinjalakkuda road,  it is 8 km from Thrissur and 3.5 km from Irinjalakkuda  is  Mapranam St John Chapel.   It’s just  one kilometer from here to the Holy Cross Shrine.

This temple is famous for 390 Kuttichathans, the aides of Lord Vishnu Maya.  Situated 20km from Thrissur, via Cherppu, get down at Peringottukara Centre. Sign boards of Kanadi Madom Tharavadu guides you to the temple.

The Visitors will be maximum during these days. Church fair, trade fair, special prayers etc are held during these days.  Mahe can also be accessible by Rail.

The legend is that under the rule of Mahabali, the ‘asura’ King Kerala became  a paradise on earth.  Indra,  the Lord of Devas felt threatened and  Lord Vishnu helped him to send back  Mahabali to ‘Paathalam’,  the neither world.  Lord Vishnu took the form of a Brahmin boy Vaamana and requested Mahabali for three – foot measure of land.  With a cosmic form he covered earth and the other world in two steps.  For the third step the honorable king offered his head and Lord Vishnu pushes Mahabali to Paathalam,  but granted him a boon to visit his land, Kerala  once a year. This is Onam.   From Atham day onwards flower mats are laid out on the courtyard of every household to welcome Mahabali.

On Uthradam day offering  and poojas are performed to an idol of ‘Thrikkakarayappan’ (the diety of  Thrikkakara temple), made out of mud, clay or wood.  This ritual lasts for five days.  Thiruvonam day is a day for  family get together.  ‘Onappudavas’ (new clothes) are gifted to family members.  Onasadya a vegetarian luncheon is another specialty.   A lot of cultural programmes will be held during these days.

Kodiyettu, Aarattu, temple arts etc. are performed during these days.  Arattu is an important ritual performed at the end of the festival.  It is a holy bath of the main deity accompanied by ceremonial procession.

The Maharaja of erstwhile Travancore state will be present in the Aarattu procession with a sword in hand and escorted by armed guards, infantry, mounted police, officers etc. and leads the procession to the Sanghumugham beach for Aarattu.  A ceremonial hunt called pallivetta is held on the previous night as part of festival ritual.

Feast at Puthanpalli,  Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours at Thrissur. Thousand of Pilgrims will gather for this Oottuthirunal  the feast.  This gothic style church is supposed to be the biggest in India with a plinth area of about 25000 sq.ft  and 15 Altars. The bells producing seven musical sounds and the murals are other features of the church.

Recently constructed Bible Tower is an attraction with a lot of painting.

Festival at the ancient church Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam, Blessed Virgin Mary located in Vallarpadam Island, Kochi  at Ernakulam.  The Church is dedicated to St Mary and the devotees affectionately called her as Vallarpadath Amma (mother of Vallarpadam). St Mary is the patron saint of sailors and fisher folk and is believed to possess miraculous powers to save her devotees from dangers of the sea.   This Catholic Church stands on a small island near Ernakulam amidst the picturesque Kerala backwaters encircling the Kochi harbor. The Church is believed to have been established in 1676 by the Portuguese.   The annual feast here lasts more than a week. Nearest railway station Ernakulam South is about 5km. From Ernakulam South it is accessible by boat or by road.

Thunjan parambu, Tirur –  The birth place of Thunjath Ezhuthassan, the Father of Malayalam literature. Four centuries back he wrote the Malayalam classics Adhyathma  Ramayanam,  Mahabharatham etc. and developed a refined Malayalam language.  A cultural retreat centre located at Tirur, Malappuram Dt.

Kunjan Nambiar SmarakomAt Killikurissimangalam, Lakkidi, near Ottappalam in Palakkad Dt.  Kunjan Nambiar, the satirist who lived 250 yrs back, developed the classical art form Thullal and wrote a lot of satirical poems in Thullal.

Shivagiri Mutt, Varkkala- The final resting place of the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru.

Aasan Memorial Thonakkal – Kumaran Aasan was a great poet and social reformer and a follower of Sree Naratana Guru.

Panachikkad Saraswathy Kshethram- The main diety is Lord Vishnu but famous for the subsidiary diety Goddess Saraswathy- the Goddess of music and learning.  Situated at Panachikkadu in Kottayam district. On MC road, from Kottayam to Chigavanam is 7km and from Chingavanam it is about 5km towards east.

Devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church is a peculiar and highly regarded ritual on the final day of the Perunnal. After wards there will be a ceremonial procession to the beach.

How to reach

Nearest railway station – Alappuzha which lies 22 km away from Arthunkal, 14 km from Cherthala Railway Station

Cochin International Airport, nearest Airport to reach, is at a distance of 85km away from Alappuzha.

Access to the temple

By Rail : Harippad Railway station, about 5 km from the temple

By Air : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha

Venue: Kanjiramattom Mosque, Ernakulam district

Kanjiramattom Mosque was built in the memory of  Sheikh Fariduddin. Glorious Kodikuthu festival is celebrated with much revelry  at the mosque during January every year. Tourists frequent this place on the festival day to have a glimpse of the  event. 

Chandanakkudam ritual is held at night as part of Kodikuthu festival. Pilgrims carry earthen posts smeared with sandal wood paste,proceeds to mosque in procession. Six ornately decorated elephants accompany the procession. Traditional Muslim art forms like Duffmuttu and Kolkali also staged during the festival.

Access to Mosque

The Mosque is situated about 25 kms away from Ernakulam Railway station and 45 kms away from Cochin International Airport.

The soul of Vishu celebrations is the Vishukani. The women folk in the household arrange the Kani ( first sighting) in the pooja room before the idol of Lord Krishna on the eve of the Vishu.  Kani is the ritual arrangement displaying articles like cadjan, leaf, raw rice, freshlinen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers called Konna (Cassia Fistula) and coins, all placed in the bell metal vessel called the ‘uruli’

The womenfolk rise early in the morning and light the lamps (nilavilakku) before the kani. The tradition is tro wake up the other family members and take them blindfolded to the pooja room. The blindfolds are then removed so that the first thing they see on New Year’s Day is the auspicious Vishukani. The belief is that catching a glimpse of the reflection of these signs of prosperity. Temples also arrange Vishukani and special pujas to herald the New Year. It is also considered auspicious to read the Ramayana on this day. Vishu is also heralded by wearing new clothes and the elders of the family distribute token gifts of money called Vishukaineetam to children and the poor.

There is also a sumptuous feast at home and the dishes are made from the vegetables that are abundant in the season like jackfruit, mango, pumpkin and a variety of gourds. In North Kerala, firecrackers are lit to herald Vishu and the festival is celebrated with even greater gusto than in the South.

Adoor Gajamela

Event date: 16.01.2011

Venue: Parthasarathy Temple,  Adoor

The main Kerala Tourism attraction of Adoor, Pathanamthitta is the very famous and old Hindu temple Sree Parthasarathy Temple taking the centre stage in the town. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna who was a charioteer to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war.  The premise of this temple is the arena for the Adoor Gaja Mela.   Adoor Gajamela has unique elephant pageant that is held as part of 10 day annual festival. The highlight is undoubtedly the majestically costumed nine elephants with towering parasols that take part in a spectacular parade.

Access
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 25 km away.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 92 km away.