Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Kerala’s celebrated snake-boat race on Punnamada Lake.
Aug 22, 2026Tentative
Alappuzha, Kerala
Kerala
God's Own Country, Kerala is a tropical paradise of backwaters, beaches, and lush greenery. Cruise through serene backwaters of Alleppey on houseboats, relax on palm-fringed beaches, rejuvenate with authentic Ayurvedic treatments, explore hill stations of Munnar, and experience vibrant festivals like Onam and Thrissur Pooram.
Cities in Kerala
19 places to explore
Upcoming events in Kerala
Festivals and celebrations across the state
Puthari Thiruvappana
Puthari Thiruvappana is the signature annual festival celebrated at the Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple in Kannur. Occurring in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November/December), the festival combines the celebration of the new harvest (Puthari) with the divine presence of the deity, Sree Muthappan. The highlight is the Thiruvappana, a grand performance of Theyyam where the deity is personified through elaborate costumes, vibrant face paint, and rhythmic movements. Unlike other temples, the offerings here include dried fish and toddy, reflecting the deity's connection to the common folk. The festival culminates in a feast prepared with the freshly harvested grain, symbolizing abundance and communal unity in North Malabar.
Dec 02, 2026
Kerala
Vaikathashtami
Vaikathashtami is the most auspicious festival celebrated at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November/December). The festival commemorates the day Lord Shiva appeared before the sage Vyaghrapada. The highlight is the Prathal (grand feast), which is considered a sacred offering. On the final night, a magnificent procession features the meeting of the deities from neighboring temples, accompanied by caparisoned elephants and traditional percussion like the Panchavadyam. It is a major spiritual gathering, drawing thousands of devotees to one of Kerala’s oldest and most revered shrines.
Dec 01, 2026
Kottayam, Kerala
Guruvayur Ekadasi
Guruvayur Ekadasi is a prestigious festival observed at the Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur on the eleventh day (Ekadasi) of the lunar fortnight in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna imparted the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, making it a sacred occasion for spiritual reflection. The festival is marked by several significant traditions: * Chembai Sangeetholsavam: A 15-day Carnatic music festival held in honor of the legendary singer Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, culminating on Ekadasi day. * Elephant Procession: A grand procession of caparisoned elephants, led by the temple's chief elephant carrying the Thidambu (deity's replica). * Gaja Pooja: A special ritual honoring elephants, emphasizing their significance in temple culture. * Ekadasi Vilakku: The entire temple is illuminated with thousands of oil lamps, creating a divine glow. Devotees observe a strict fast and gather in massive numbers to offer prayers, seeking liberation and mental peace at the "Dwarka of the South."
Nov 21, 2026
Thrissur, Kerala
Kalpathi Ratholsavam
Kalpathi Ratholsavam, also known as the Kalpathi Chariot Festival, is a world-renowned annual event held at the Sree Visalakshi Sametha Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple in Palakkad. Usually celebrated in November (the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam), this ten-day festival is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Kerala, mirroring the traditions of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The festival's highlight occurs during the final three days, when massive, intricately decorated temple chariots (Rathams) are pulled through the streets of the Tamil Brahmin settlements (Agraharams) by thousands of devotees. The air is filled with Vedic chants and traditional percussion, creating a powerful spiritual atmosphere. This centuries-old tradition attracts pilgrims and photographers from across the globe, showcasing a unique blend of Kerala and Tamil cultural heritage.
Nov 14–16, 2026
Palakkad, Kerala
Parumala Perunnal
Parumala Perunnal is a major annual feast celebrated at the St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Church in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. It commemorates the death anniversary of Saint Gregorios of Parumala, the first canonized saint of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The festival, held on November 1st and 2nd, draws thousands of pilgrims who travel on foot (Padayatra) to the shrine. The event is marked by special prayers, grand processions (Rasa), and cultural programs, reflecting deep spiritual devotion and communal harmony.
Nov 02, 2026
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Mannarasala Ayilyam
Mannarasala Ayilyam is a prestigious serpent worship festival held at the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple in Alappuzha. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kanni or Thulam, the festival is unique as rituals are led by the Valia Amma, the temple's chief priestess. Thousands of devotees offer Noorum Palum and participate in the grand Ezhunnallathu procession. It is a deeply spiritual event dedicated to seeking blessings for prosperity and protection from the serpent deities.
Nov 02, 2026
Alappuzha, Kerala
Revathi Pattathanam
Revathi Pattathanam is a prestigious seven-day annual assembly of scholars held at the Tali Mahadeva Temple in Kozhikode. Dating back to the 14th century, this assembly was traditionally patronized by the Zamorins of Calicut to honor excellence in Vedic learning, grammar, and philosophy. The event takes place during the Malayalam month of Thulam (October/November), specifically on the Revathi asterism. Historically, scholars would engage in intense intellectual debates to win the title of Bhatta and a purse of coins. Today, it remains a significant cultural and intellectual gathering, where the "Mangala Pathram" (citation of merit) is awarded to eminent scholars, continuing Kozhikode's legacy as a historical center of learning and Vedic scholarship.
Oct 25, 2026
Kozhikode, Kerala
Navarathri Sangeetholsavam
Navarathri Sangeetholsavam is a prestigious classical music festival held annually at the Navarathri Mandapam of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This tradition, spanning over two centuries, was institutionalized by the legendary composer-king Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. The festival features nine days of concerts where acclaimed vocalists perform the specific Navarathri Kritis composed by the King in various ragas. A unique aspect of this event is its strict adherence to tradition: the concerts are held in a soot-blackened, oil-lamp-lit hall with natural acoustics, and performers are accompanied only by traditional instruments. It remains a pinnacle for Carnatic musicians and enthusiasts across India.
Oct 11–21, 2026
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Panachikkadu Festival
Panachikkadu Festival, often referred to as the Dakshina Mookambika Utsavam, is held at the Saraswati Temple in Panachikkadu, Kottayam. While the temple observes various rituals throughout the year, it becomes a major spiritual hub during the Navarathri period, particularly on the day of Vijayadashami. The festival is most famous for Vidyarambham, the ritual initiation of children into the world of knowledge. Thousands of parents bring their toddlers to have their first letters traced in plates of rice or on their tongues with a golden ring. Surrounded by lush greenery and a natural spring where the deity is worshipped, the festival is a cornerstone of Kerala's educational and cultural tradition.
Oct 11–21, 2026
Kottayam, Kerala
Navarathri Festival
Navarathri Festival in Kerala is a soulful ten-day celebration dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and arts. While observed nationwide, Kerala focuses on the final three days—Durgashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami. A key tradition is Pooja Vayppu, where students and professionals place their books and tools before the Goddess for blessings. The festival culminates in Vidyarambham, a ritual where children are initiated into the world of letters by writing their first words in rice or sand. The Navarathri Mandapam in Thiruvananthapuram is a major hub, famous for its classical music concerts that have continued for centuries.
Oct 11–21, 2026
Kerala
Alpashi Utsavam
Alpashi Utsavam is a significant bi-annual festival held at the iconic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Celebrated during the Malayalam month of Thulam (October/November), the ten-day event is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The festival culminates in the magnificent Aarat procession, where the temple deities are carried to Shangumugham Beach for a ritual purification bath in the Arabian Sea. A unique tradition of this festival is the participation of the members of the Travancore Royal Family, who escort the idols on foot with drawn swords, maintaining centuries-old royal customs.
Oct 11–20, 2026
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Ayilyam Festival at Vettikode
Ayilyam Festival at the Sree Nagaraja Swami Temple in Vettikode, Alappuzha, is one of India's most prominent serpent worship celebrations. Held annually during the Malayalam month of Kanni (September/October), it honors the serpent deities, particularly Nagaraja. The festival is famous for the Ezhunnallathu, a grand ceremonial procession where the idol of Nagaraja is carried to the Nilavara (ancestral cellar). Thousands of devotees participate in rituals like Sarpam Pattu (songs of the serpents) and offer Noorum Palum (a ritual offering of rice flour and milk) to seek protection from skin ailments and "Sarpa Dosha." It is a deeply spiritual event set amidst ancient, sacred groves (Kavu).
Oct 06, 2026
Alappuzha, Kerala
Feast of Vallarpadathamma
Feast of Vallarpadathamma is a major annual celebration held at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom on Vallarpadam Island, Kochi. Observed in September, the week-long festival honors Mary, Mother of Jesus, affectionately called "Vallarpadathamma," who is revered as the protector of those at sea. A central tradition involves the cleaning of the church by devotees and the offering of "Neyvilakku" (ghee lamps). The festival attracts people of all faiths, many of whom offer traditional items like pots and brooms to seek blessings or express gratitude for miracles, reflecting the shrine's deep-rooted history of communal harmony.
Sep 24, 2026
Kerala
Feast of Holy Cross Shrine
The Feast of the Holy Cross Shrine at Mapranam in Thrissur is one of Kerala’s most historic Christian celebrations. Observed in September, it commemorates the finding of the Holy Cross. The festival is famous for the lighting of large candles, some weighing several kilograms, offered by devotees as a gesture of faith. A grand procession carrying a relic of the True Cross winds through the streets, accompanied by traditional music and thousands of pilgrims, making it a significant center of pilgrimage in South India.
Sep 14, 2026
Thrissur, Kerala
Neelamperoor Padayani
Neelamperoor Padayani is a unique folk ritual held at the Palli Bhagavathi Temple in Alappuzha, Kerala, during the month of Chingam. Unlike other Padayani performances that use masks, this 1,700-year-old tradition is famous for its Kettukazhcha, featuring massive, intricately decorated effigies of swans (Annam) and mythological characters. The festival culminates in a vibrant procession where these giant figures, crafted from plantain pith and ixora flowers, are offered to the Goddess. It is a brilliant display of rural craftsmanship, rhythmic percussion, and a rare blend of Buddhist and Hindu cultural influences.
Sep 11, 2026
Alappuzha, Kerala
Manarcad Perunnal
Manarcad Perunnal is the renowned annual feast celebrated at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Manarcad, Kottayam. This eight-day lenten festival (Ettu Nombu) commemorates the birth of the Virgin Mary and draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the globe. A centerpiece of the event is the unveiling of the sacred icon of the Mother and Child, which is opened for public viewing only during this period. The festival is marked by solemn prayer, grand processions, and the deep devotion of believers who stay on the church premises for the duration of the fast.
Sep 01–08, 2026
Kottayam, Kerala
Aranmula Boat Race
Aranmula Vallam Kali is the oldest and most revered traditional boat race in Kerala, held during the Onam season at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Unlike competitive races, this is a ritualistic water regatta focused on celebrating the installation of the temple deity. The event features the iconic Palliyodams (snake boats), which are manned by oarsmen dressed in traditional white dhotis and turbans. Moving in rhythmic unison to the "Vanchippattu" (boat songs), the oarsmen escort the sacred offerings to the temple, creating a magnificent spectacle of synchronized rowing and spiritual fervor along the Pamba River.
Aug 30, 2026
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Pulikali
Pulikali, also known as the "Tiger Dance," is a vibrant folk art performed during the Onam season, primarily in Thrissur, Kerala. On the fourth day of Onam (Nalaam Onam), hundreds of performers paint their bodies to resemble tigers and leopards, sporting large masks and bell-studded belts. Dancing to the rhythmic beats of percussion instruments like the Uduku and Thakil, the performers mimic the predatory movements of a tiger being hunted. This energetic street pageant attracts thousands of spectators, showcasing incredible endurance and the playful, artistic spirit of the local community.
Aug 29, 2026
Thrissur, Kerala
Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is the most auspicious day of the ten-day Onam festival, celebrating the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. Observed in the Malayalam month of Chingam, it is a day of immense joy and cultural pride across Kerala. The day is defined by several cherished traditions: * Onapookkalam: Families create the largest and most intricate floral carpets at their entrances. * Onasadya: A grand, multi-course vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, featuring delicacies like Avial, Olan, and Payasam. * Onakkodi: The wearing of new traditional attire, specifically the cream-colored Kasavu saree and Mundu. * Festivities: Communities engage in Pulikali (tiger dances), Vallam Kali (boat races), and traditional games known as Onakalikal. It serves as a powerful symbol of equality, prosperity, and the spirit of togetherness.
Aug 26, 2026
Kerala
Athachamayam
Athachamayam is a spectacular cultural fiesta that marks the formal beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in Kerala. Held in Tripunithura, Kochi, it commemorates the legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi and his traditional ceremonial march from the palace to the Thrikkakara Temple. The event features a massive street parade showcasing the diverse folk arts of the region, including Chenda Melam, Theyyam, and Kavadiaattam, alongside beautifully decorated floats. It is a rare occasion where various art forms and communities converge, symbolizing secularism and the vibrant royal heritage of the erstwhile Kochi Kingdom.
Aug 16, 2026
Kochi, Kerala