Kerala Flashcards
Makaravilakku
held on Makar Sankranti
at the shrine of Sabarimala
Sabrimala temple located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve
for deity Ayyappan ( Dharma Shastha), son of Shiva and Mohini (as believed )
depicts the confluence of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and other Sramana traditions
-recently women are allowed at temple by supreme court as restriction was unconstitutional
Attukal Pongala
annual 10 day festival
at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram ( Kerala )
women’s Sabarimala - only womens take part in rituals
Ritual - Pongala means ‘to boild over’, women prepare sweet payasam and offer to Goddess ‘Bhagavathy’
Onam
state festival of Kerala
falls in beginning of first month (Chingam) of Malayalam calendar
Mainly harvest festival but also homecoming of mighty asura King Mahabli from Patala ( underground)
feasts, dance, flowers, boats and elephants are part of and also Onakalikal (traditional games ) are part of this
Vallam Kali - The snake boat race
most popular Vallam kali is held in the Punnamada Lake
winners get - Nehru Boat Race Trophy
