Makaravillakku At Sabarimala

FestivalMakara Vilakku Pooja is a seven-day festival conducted annually in the famous Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala. The festival begins on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi, the day on which the sun is in summer solstice (vernal equinox). This is also the first day of the Malayalese month of Makaram. Makara Vilakku Pooja commemorates the day on which idol of Lord Ayyappa or Dharma Sastha was enshrined in the temple and is the most important event to be conducted at Sabarimala. Thousands of devotees gather to participate in the celebrations of Makara Vilakku every year. Mandala Pooja festival extends to 41 days prior to Makara Sankranthi.
Importance of Sabarimala Shrine
Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala is the most sacred pilgrimage centre for the people of Kerala. Presiding deity of Sabarimala shrine is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. This is so because, Ayappan is said to be born of union between Lord Vishnu and Shiva when the former took the avatar of Mohini, the seductress. Shiva succumbed to the charms of Mohini and Ayappa was born out of this union. Hence Ayappa is also called 'Hari Hara Putra' where 'Hari' is Vishnu, 'Hara' is Shiva and 'Putra' means son. No wonder, Sabarimala attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country particularly, southern states of India every year.
What makes the shrine so much more interesting is the rugged terrain on which it is located. The spirit of the thousands of devotees must be saluted who walk this terrain on foot as no other means of transport function in the rough stretches of Western Ghats where Sabarimala is located. Pilgrims have to make their way through the dense forests housing wild animals. For the lovers of adventure, there is a mandatory, 5 km stretch from Pamba to the shrine which can be passed only by trekking. Pilgrimage to Sabarimala requires a lot of prior preparations and is not advisable on all times. It is open only from November to January.

Sabarimala Festival at Kerala

Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayappa. The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January.

There are two main rituals called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which is celebrated from November to mid-January in Kerala during which time, the devotees perform austerities and penance.

The Pilgrimage
Devotees undergo rigorous penance and austere living before starting on the pilgrimage. Regardless of caste, creed and colour they wear black dhoties and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional offerings like coconuts filled with ghee, camphor and rice.

The temple dome is covered with gold and the devotees break the coconuts before climbing the steps. Among the pilgrims, there are a few who are undertaking the pilgrimage for the first time while ther are a few who have been doing so for the past many years.

The first timers are known as 'Kanni Swamis' and the leader of the group is known as 'Guru Swami' or the lead person of a team who is incharge of all the rituals.

Devotees take a ritual bath while climbing up the hill in the holy river Pamba, which absolves one's sins. En route at Erumeli, in a supreme instance of communal harmony, they pay obeisance at the shrine of Vavar, a Muslim deity believed to be a close ally of Lord Ayyappa.

To ease the ardour of the long trek through the forests to the temple at the peak of the Sabari Hills, devotees constantly chant the name of the holy one. No women in the fertility age group are allowed into the precincts of the shrine of the Lord who is considered to be an Eternal Bachelor.

India Celebrat 62th Independence Day

Vandemataram…

Every1 celebrates Valentine’s Day, new year, friendship day and sends messages b4 10 days regarding that, But for independence day there is no advance msg from anyone, let us celebrate the independence day at least from now .

This is our 60th Independence Day!

Freedom is not a Right but a Feeling!

Let's be proud to feel the Freedom!

Let's say loud we are INDIANS!!!

Let all of us get to-gather &

Let's Celebrate Our Freedom!

Kerala Festivals and Fairs

The colorful mosaic of Kerala festivals and fairs is as diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of life.

Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.



- Aaranmula Boat Race
The Aaranmula Boat Race is staged each year in the scenic village of Aaranmula in August/ September. This river carnival is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. Masses throng the shores of the River Pamba to watch an imposing cluster of snake boats called 'Palliyodams'.

- Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala. The carnival dates back to the Portuguese New Year revelry held here during the colonial days.

- Muharram
Muharram is the opening month of the Hijra year. The 10th day of this month (May) is honoured by the Muslims of Kerala. As per belief, it was on this day that the Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his men were slain at Karbala.

- Onam
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee.

- Sabarimala Festival
The Sabarimala Temple festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Ayyapa who is revered by all in India. Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayappa. The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January.

- Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This annual regatta is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday of August.

- Malabar Mahotsavam
Malabar Mahotsavam is a cultural extravaganza that showcases the centuries old rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The event is at Mananchira maidan (ground) in the heart of Kozhikode town from 13th to 16th January every year.

- Swathi Festival
Swathi festival is a gala event of music organised by the Government of Kerala every year in the last week of January. The venue is the famous Kuthiramalika Palace. Thiruvananthapuram, where once upon a time the great poet-king of Travancore, Sri Swathi Thirunal, composed many of his verses.

- Aarattu
Pallivetta (Royal Hunt) and Arattu (Holy Bath) are part of the rituals of the festivals of some of the major temples of Kerala. The speciality of the Arattu at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is that the head of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore still provides escort to the procession of idols. The two annual ten-day festivals of the temple fall in October- November and March- April.

- Jagannatha Festival
Jagannatha Festival is a colourful eight-day festival, which is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/ March) at the Jagannatha Temple at Madathiparambu, near Thalassery in Kannur.

- Aattachamayam
The festival of Attachamayam is held on the Atham day of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/ September), at the historical town of Tripunithura, near Kochi. It is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi.

- Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand fest on the rolling backwaters of Kochi. Conducted in the last week of December, it is a fitting finale to the Tourism Fair, which attracts travellers from all parts of the globe.

- Thirunakara Festival
The Thirunakara Temple situated in the heart of Kottayam and dedicated to Lord Siva is also famous for the grandeur of its traditional architecture.

- Vettukadu Perunal
The Madre De Teus Church, popularly known as Vettukadu church, is situated around 7 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The annual festival of the church is celebrated over the ten days culminating in the last Sunday of the laturgical year. Various religious rites are carried out during the festival days.

- Nisha Gandhi Dance Festival
Every year, from February 21st to 27th renowned classical dancers perform at the Nisangandhi, an open air theatre in Thiruvananthapuram city. Classical dances of almost all the states of India are staged during the festival. Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Bharatha Natyam (Tamil Nadu), Kutchippudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Orissa), Manipuri (Manipur) and Kathak (a north Indian Classical Dance) are the major dances performed.

- Oachirakkali
The Oachira Temple is the venue of the famous Oachirakkali (Oachira dance) held in June, a sort of ancient choreographed mock battle. Unlike other temples, there is no shrine or idol at the oachira temple, located nearly 32 kms from Kollam.

- Easter
Easter which falls in April is a major religious festival for the Christians in Kerala. This solemn celebration of the resurrection of Christ is undertaken with religious fervour by Christians of all sects. Unlike Christmas with its festive mood, Easter has a ritualistic sobriet. The abstinence period of 50 days preceding Easter known as 'Lent', the Pal Sunday celebrations, the Holy Week comprising Maundy Thursday, good Friday and Easter, are all part of the celebrations.

Jet Airways will launch of its daily scheduled services to Muscat and Doha from Kozhikode on January 23.

Private carrier Jet Airways will launch of its daily scheduled services to Muscat and Doha from Kozhikode on January 23.

With the introduction of these flights, Kozhikode will be the second city in Kerala to be connected by Jet Airways' international services to West Asia, Jet Airlines statement said today.

It will simultaneously launch flights from Kochi to Muscat and from Mumbai to Doha. Jet already operates daily direct flights on the Kochi-Kuwait, Kochi-Bahrain, Mumbai-Bahrain and Delhi-Kuwait routes.

Jet said it would serve these routes with its advanced Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The Kozhikode-Muscat flight would depart Kozhikode at 0930 hrs and arrive at Muscat at 1135hrs. On the way back, the flight would depart Muscat at 0230 hrs and arrive at Kozhikode at 0800 hrs.

HAPPY NEW YEAR