Festivals in Kollam
President's Trophy Boat Race: The President's Trophy Boat Race, also known as the President's Cup Snake Boat Race, is an annual event held in Kollam district. The race takes place on the Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam and is one of the most popular boat races in the state.
The President's Trophy Boat Race is typically held in the month of November or December and is organized by the Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). The race features a number of teams from different parts of Kerala, who compete against each other in traditional snake boats or "chundan vallams".
The President's Trophy Boat Race is known for its festive atmosphere, with thousands of people coming from all over Kerala to watch the race and cheer for their favorite teams.
In addition to the boat race, the event also features cultural programs and food stalls selling traditional Kerala cuisine. The President's Trophy Boat Race is a major tourist attraction in Kollam district and is a must-see for anyone visiting Kerala during the race season.
Kollam Pooram: Kollam Pooram is a famous temple festival held annually at the Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple in Kollam. The festival usually takes place in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April) and lasts for ten days. The highlight of the festival is the magnificent elephant procession, which features more than 50 richly decorated elephants from different temples in the region.
The festival is a grand spectacle of music, dance, and fireworks, with thousands of people coming to witness the festivities. The festival begins with the flag hoisting ceremony, which is followed by the traditional percussion instrument performance called the Panchavadyam. On the ninth day, the grand elephant procession, known as the ezhunnallippu, takes place, where the decorated elephants are accompanied by traditional music and drumming.
The festival comes to a close on the tenth day with a spectacular display of fireworks. The Kollam Pooram is considered to be one of the most significant temple festivals in Kerala, attracting people from all over the state and beyond. The festival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Kerala, and it is a must-see event for anyone visiting the state during the festival season.
Malanada Kettukazhcha: The festival is primarily celebrated at the Sree Dharmasastha Temple in Malanada, a village located in the Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district. The highlight of the festival is the procession of elaborately decorated and brightly lit effigies called kettukazhcha, which are pulled on chariots by devotees.
The kettukazhcha are constructed with bamboo, cloth, and paper, and are decorated with flowers, leaves, and colored lights. Each kettukazhcha is accompanied by a group of drummers, who play traditional percussion instruments like chenda, thakil, and maddalam.
The festival is believed to have originated as a local tradition associated with the worship of Sree Dharmasastha, a deity who is considered to be a fusion of Lord Ayyappa and Lord Vishnu. It is also believed to have been influenced by the traditions of the erstwhile rulers of the region, who used to celebrate their military victories with similar processions.
Today, Malanada Kettukazhcha is a major cultural and religious event in Kerala, drawing large crowds of devotees and tourists from all over the world.
Kottamkulangara Chamayavilakku: Kottamkulangara Chamaya Vilakku is a famous festival celebrated in Kollam, a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The festival is held at the Kottamkulangara Devi Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy, a form of the Hindu goddess Durga.
The festival is marked by the lighting of thousands of traditional lamps or "vilakku" in and around the temple premises, which creates a beautiful and mesmerizing sight. The lamps are arranged in intricate patterns and designs, and the entire temple complex is illuminated with their warm glow.
The festival is usually held in February or March, during the Malayalam month of Kumbham, and it is a major attraction for both locals and tourists. It is believed that the festival dates back to over 1,500 years, and it has deep spiritual and cultural significance for the people of Kollam.
During the festival, devotees from all over Kerala come to the Kottamkulangara Devi Temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the goddess. The festival also features traditional music, dance performances, and other cultural activities. Overall, the Kottamkulangara Chamaya Vilakku is a unique and vibrant celebration of Kerala's rich heritage and culture.
Kannetti Boat Race: The Kannetti Boat Race, also known as the Kallada Boat Race, is an annual boat race held in Kollam. The race is held during the Onam celebration on the fourth day of Onam.
The Kannetti Boat Race is one of the most famous boat races in Kerala and is a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. The race features a number of traditional boats, including the iconic snake boat (chundan vallam), which is a long and narrow boat that resembles a snake.
The race is organized by various local communities, and each community prepares its own boat and crew. The boats are decorated with colorful ribbons and flags, and the crew members wear traditional attire. The race is a highly competitive event, and the boats are rowed by dozens of oarsmen, who paddle to the beat of traditional songs and chants.
The Kannetti Boat Race is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Kerala, and it is a celebration of the spirit of community and camaraderie. The race attracts thousands of spectators every year, who come to witness the spectacle of the boats racing down the Kallada River.
Panmana Pooram: Panmana Pooram is a famous temple festival held annually at the Panmana Subramanya Swamy Temple in Kollam district. The festival usually takes place in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April) and lasts for 10 days.
The highlight of the festival is the grand procession of decorated elephants, known as the "Kudamattam" ceremony. During this ceremony, ornately decorated umbrellas are exchanged among the elephants while traditional percussion instruments like chenda and thakil are played.
The festival also features various cultural programs and performances such as traditional dances, music concerts, and fireworks displays. Thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world gather in Panmana to witness and participate in this grand festival.
Panmana Pooram is a symbol of Kerala's rich cultural heritage and tradition, and it is an experience not to be missed if you are visiting the Kollam district during the festival season.
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