Festivals of Kerala

August–September (Chingam) Onam Kerala’s grand harvest and homecoming festival — ten days of flower carpets, feasts, boat races, and the legendary return of King Mahabali. Read more → April (first day of Medam / Aries) Vishu Malayali New Year on the first day of Medam — auspicious Vishukkani, kanikonna blossoms, fireworks, and family blessings. Read more → Pooram Nakshatra in Medam (April–May) Thrissur Pooram The “mother of all poorams” — Asia’s great temple spectacle of elephants, melam, kudamattam, and fireworks at Vadakkunnathan Temple. Read more → October–May (approx.) Theyyam North Kerala’s ritual season of deity performances in sacred groves and shrines. Read more → Kumbham (February–March) Attukal Pongala The world’s largest annual gathering of women — ten days at Attukal Temple, climaxing in citywide Pongala offerings to Attukal Amma. Read more → Nov–Jan (Mandala–Makaravilakku) Sabarimala Season Pilgrimage season to Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala in the Western Ghats. Read more → Onam season (Aug–Sep), plus local regattas Vallam Kali Snake-boat races of Kerala’s backwaters, peaking around Onam season. Read more → 1 November Kerala Piravi State formation day — the birth of modern Kerala on 1 November 1956. Read more → December Christmas in Kerala Kerala’s Christian feast of the Nativity, rich in local music and community custom. Read more → Islamic calendar (varies yearly) Eid in Kerala Eid celebrations across Kerala, especially vibrant in Malabar’s Mappila culture. Read more →