India, the land of varied cultures and traditions is a land of festivals and fairs. It is a land of festivity - religious as well as folkloristic. Whether you go to the East or the West, North or the South you would be able to enjoy every month a festival or a fair. Every day of the year there is a festival celebrated in some part of the country. Be it cultural or religious, it gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy and join the festivity. Festival is the time to rejoice and have fun.

Indian Festivals celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals add to the colours of Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India.
Many festivals celebrate the various harvests; commemorate great historical figures and events, while many express devotion to the deities of different religions.

Every celebration centres around the rituals of prayer, seeking blessings, exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing new cloths, music, dance and feasting.

In India every region and every religion has something to celebrate. The festivals reflect the vigour and life-style of its people. Vibrant colours, music and festivity make the country come alive throughout the year.

The emphasis laid on the different festivals differs in different parts of the country. For instance, Navaratri is celebrated with maximum fervour in West Bengal as compared to that in other parts of the country. Holi is celebrated with gusto in the north, and although it is also observed in the western and eastern parts of India, in the south it is almost unknown. There are also a few regional festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu; Onam in Kerala and the various other temple festivals devoted to the specific patron Gods and Goddesses of the temples, which are celebrated exclusively in those areas, which may be limited to one or a few villages. This galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in inter-spicing Indian life with gaiety and colour as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays.


The above words are taken from: http://www.festivalsofindia.in

Padayani or padeni colloquial speech, is one of the most colourful and spectacular ritual art associated with the festivals of certain temples in southern Kerala, south India. It is usually seen in Pathanamthitta,Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam, districts. The word padayani literally means military formations or rows of army, but in this folk art we have mainly a series of divine and semi-divine impersonations wearing huge masks or kolams of different shapes, colours and desingns painted on the stalks of arecanut fronds.

Pathanamthitta is the motherland of The Padayani.

The Padayani is dedicated to the Goddess Bhadrakaali. The Padayani is a marvellous combination of music, dance, painting and satire. The Padayani is conducted during the Malayalam Calendar months of Kumbham, Meenam and Medam (The English months of February, March and April).

Kadammanitta Devi Temple and Thazhoor Bhagavati Temple at Vazhamuttom near Pathanamthitta are famous for the annual Padayani Performances.



courtsey: http://en.wikipedia.org

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ad/ThazhoorPadayani.jpg/800px-ThazhoorPadayani.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/ThazhoorPadayani.jpg)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/19/ThazhoorPadayani01.jpg/800px-ThazhoorPadayani01.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/19/ThazhoorPadayani01.jpg)

source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padayani

Neelamperoor Pooram Padayani is the most famous of all Padayanis.
It is the annual festival of the 'Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavthi Temple'.

Venue: Palli Bhagavthi Temple, Neelamperoor village, Near Kottayam
District: Alappuzha
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam, about 16 Kms
Period: Aug/Sept. every year, after Onam.

The main attraction of Neelamperoor Padyani is the big man made swan, which is completely made by making use of natural substances, like lotus flower petals etc.
Neelamperoor Pooram padyani is one of the major attractions for tourists visiting Kottayam.

Source:flickr.com/photos/tijojohn/2894023243/ (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/flickr.com/photos/tijojohn/2894023243/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2894023243_2cf8e3d43d.jpg?v=0

Pics Source: http://matsyaganddhi.blogspot.com/2007/04/neelamperoor-padayani.html

http://bp3.blogger.com/_zhxAkzrGSHA/RkCQDdHU8QI/AAAAAAAAADM/zyay2EJwL_A/s400/Cheriyannam.jpg (http://bp3.blogger.com/_zhxAkzrGSHA/RkCQDdHU8QI/AAAAAAAAADM/zyay2EJwL_A/s1600-h/Cheriyannam.jpg)
http://bp3.blogger.com/_zhxAkzrGSHA/Rire53DsbgI/AAAAAAAAACs/utLpsragr84/s400/annam.jpg

Source:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2894079415_ba43c8d173.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2894079415_ba43c8d173.jpg?v=0

I am holding you responsible for highlighting all the festivals of India by naming this thread Festivals of India and not just festivals from Kottayam.

I am holding you responsible for highlighting all the festivals of India by naming this thread Festivals of India and not just festivals from Kottayam.

Ha ha, dear friend, yes this thread is meant to post artilcles and pics related to festivals of India and I started this thread for all Indians. Anyone can post Articles/Pics in this forum. if some Unknown/Unheard festivals are there in your region, U can popularise them with pics/articles related to them thru this forum.
Hope u got it.

So don't wait for me to post articles/pics, even u can do it. Any Indian / anyone who loves India can contribute to this thread.

I've made my stand clear.

Ha ha, dear friend, yes this thread is meant to post artilcles and pics related to festivals of India and I started this thread for all Indians. Anyone can post Articles/Pics in this forum. if some Unknown/Unheard festivals are there in your region, U can popularise them with pics/articles related to them thru this forum.
Hope u got it.

So don't wait for me to post articles/pics, even u can do it. Any Indian / anyone who loves India can contribute to this thread.

I've made my stand clear.

actually, as the thread starter you are responsible for highlighting what you have said in the thread's title.

but as a nice forumer I will help you out and post some Eid or Ganeshpati pics on here.

^^
tanx. Happy Eid to everyone.

Chhath
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Chhath_Puja.jpg

Chhath is unique to Bihar and Terai, but is also celebrated elsewhere. It is a festival dedicated to the Sun God for bestowing the bounties of life and fulfilling wishes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhath

courtsey: Abhishek jsr2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Abhishek_jsr2&action=edit&redlink=1)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/DSC03111.JPG/800px-DSC03111.JPG (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/DSC03111.JPG)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/DSC03104.JPG/800px-DSC03104.JPG (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/DSC03104.JPG)

Happy X'mas everyone.....I'll revive this thread soon...
I request everyone's support and cooperation to make this thread active.....

Holi -The Festival of Color

Holi – the festival of color is marked as the opening festival in Hindu calendar, falls on the full moon day in the monthof PHALGUN. People enjoy themselves playing with several colours and celebrate the whole day with much pump and gaiety.

Originally Holi was regarded to be the festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land. There are several legends and stories behind Holi. A popular legend says that Holi is remembered for the sacrifice of Holika who burnt herself in fire .

Holi is therefore regarded one of the most ancient festivals of the Hindus who finds an honored mention in our old Sanskrit texts like Dashakumar Charit and Garud Puran. Even the play "Ratnavali" written by Harshdev states a delightful description of Holi as a festival. In those days this very festival was celebrated as "Vasantotsav". Latter everybody started calling it "MADANOTSAV".

Celebration of Holi festival is characterized by performing Holi puja as per Hindu tradition. Dhuleti, which falls day after Holi Puja, is considered to be the actual festival of colors. Children and youngsters vie with each other use fast and sticky colors to celebrate Holi. It is all fun and joy for them.


Courtsey: http://www.festivalsofindia.in/holi/


Some Pics (Pls excuse me for hotlinking them. If not visible, I'll repost the pics through the right channel:))
http://www.goway.com/asia/updates/wp-content/uploads/2008/holi-powder.jpg

http://www.goway.com/asia/updates/wp-content/uploads/2008/holi-celebrations.jpg

http://www.goway.com/asia/updates/wp-content/uploads/2008/handing-out-poweder-at-holi.jpg

Pics source: www.goway.com/asia/updates/?cat=1 (http://www.goway.com/asia/updates/?cat=1)

ATTUKAL PONGALA @ ATTUKAL DEVI TEMPLE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM


ATTUKAL PONGALA
Attukal Pongala is an annual congregation of women to offer Pongala - an offering of boiled rice in earthern pot - during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March). Today the Pongala has become a symbol of sincerity, devotion to Devi, the Mother god and above all a celebration of womanhood. Last year27 lakh women participated in the Pongala festival. It has also entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest gathering of women in the world.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqvirx5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/dYbvoTZWBG8/s400/pongala4.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqvirx5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/dYbvoTZWBG8/s1600-h/pongala4.jpg)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqfDm41I/AAAAAAAAAu4/21TfYSxEZOg/s400/pongala3.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqfDm41I/AAAAAAAAAu4/21TfYSxEZOg/s1600-h/pongala3.jpg)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqJfY5QI/AAAAAAAAAuw/eTZad9LDSQ8/s400/pongala2.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqJfY5QI/AAAAAAAAAuw/eTZad9LDSQ8/s1600-h/pongala2.jpg)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbTE3MpaXjI/AAAAAAAAAuY/oAoRVrw9hxk/s400/temppongala1.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbTE3MpaXjI/AAAAAAAAAuY/oAoRVrw9hxk/s1600-h/temppongala1.jpg)

Source of pics and the description: http://attukalpongala.blogspot.com/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3238878899_57a641e9f9.jpg

http://www.goway.com/asia/updates/wp-content/uploads/2008/holi-celebrations.jpg



thats cute [:)]

ATTUKAL PONGALA @ ATTUKAL DEVI TEMPLE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqvirx5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/dYbvoTZWBG8/s400/pongala4.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqvirx5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/dYbvoTZWBG8/s1600-h/pongala4.jpg)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqfDm41I/AAAAAAAAAu4/21TfYSxEZOg/s400/pongala3.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqfDm41I/AAAAAAAAAu4/21TfYSxEZOg/s1600-h/pongala3.jpg)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqJfY5QI/AAAAAAAAAuw/eTZad9LDSQ8/s400/pongala2.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbYKqJfY5QI/AAAAAAAAAuw/eTZad9LDSQ8/s1600-h/pongala2.jpg)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbTE3MpaXjI/AAAAAAAAAuY/oAoRVrw9hxk/s400/temppongala1.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iHeHdk_uSSo/SbTE3MpaXjI/AAAAAAAAAuY/oAoRVrw9hxk/s1600-h/temppongala1.jpg)

Source of pics and the description: http://attukalpongala.blogspot.com/

interesting, this could be the same as Tamil Pongal !

^^ Might be.

The deity itself is from Tamil nadu. As per legends, Attukal bhagavathy is 'Kannaki'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannagi

thats very interesting to know, shows how culture is inter related. Tamil Pongal itself historically was a festival of water and fertility in Tamil Nadu, and was special to women.. before it got changed.

HAPPY VISHU (KERALA), BHAISAKHI/VAISAKHI (PUNJAB), BIHU (ASSAM) and PUTHANDU (TAMIL NADU) :)

I like here all culture can anyone send me lots off picture of this

Thanks and nice to meet you!

List of Festivals in January 2010





Agni Utsav(Orissa) (http://festivalsofindia.in/agni_utsav/)
Army Day (http://festivalsofindia.in/Army_Day/)
Beneshwar Fair (Dungarpur, Rajasthan) (http://festivalsofindia.in/Beneshwar_Fair/)
Bikaner Camel Festival (http://festivalsofindia.in/bikaner_camel_festival/)
Hampi Festival 500th Anniversary (http://festivalsofindia.in/hampi/Hampi_festival_2010.aspx)

Jaipur Literature festival (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Jaipur_Literature_festival)
Jaisalmer Desert Festival (http://festivalsofindia.in/Jaisalmer_desert_festival/)
Kerala Village Fair (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/keralavillage/)
Kolkata Festival (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/kolkata/)
Kumbh Mela (Haridwar) (http://festivalsofindia.in/Kumbh_mela/)
Lohri (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Lohri)
Magh Bihu (Assam, Bengal) (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/bihu)
Makara Sankranti / Uttarayan (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/makarsankranti)
Mamallapuram Festival (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/mamallapuram)
Martyr’s Day (http://festivalsofindia.in/Martyrs_day/)
Modhera Dance Festival (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/modhera)
Mumbai Festival
Nagaur Fair (http://festivalsofindia.in/Nagaur_fair/)
National Youth Day (http://festivalsofindia.in/id/National_Youth_Day/)
New Year Day (http://festivalsofindia.in/new_year_day)
Pattadakkal Dance Festival (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/pattadakkal)
Pongal (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/pongal)
Republic Day (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/republicday)
Thai poosam (http://festivalsofindia.in/Thai_poosam/)
Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja (http://www.festivalsofindia.in/vasantpanchami/)

Pongal is a harvest festival - the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. In an agriculture based civilization the harvest plays an important part. The farmer cultivating his land depends on cattle, timely rain and the Sun. Once a year, he expresses his gratitude to these during the harvest festival. With the end of the wet month of Margazhi (mid December to mid January) the new Tamil month of Thai heralds a series of festivals. The first day of this month is a festival day known as "Pongal Day". Pongal means the "boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of Thai.

The four day celebration of Pongal Marks a period of plenty, peace and happiness.

The first day is celebrated as the Bhogi Pongal and is usually meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members.

The second day is known as 'Pongal' the most important day of the entire festival, where prayers are offered to the Sun. On this day, the Sun is given great importance and hence the day is called Surya Pongal.

The third day is known as Mattu Pongal, the day of Pongal for cows. The cattle are washed, their horns are painted and covered with shining metal caps.

Kanu Pongal, which falls on the same day as Maatu Pongal, is celebrated by sisters for the welfare of their brothers. This festival is reminiscent of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj of North India.

Source: http://pongalfestival.org (http://pongalfestival.org/)


pics will be followed soon

Pongal dishes -Yummy !!!!
source: wikipedia
http://i48.tinypic.com/2vj7edu.jpg

A bull decorated on a Mattupongal day
http://i46.tinypic.com/2qdwea0.jpg

Damn. That bull looks pampered.

^^

:lol::lol::lol: That 'maadu' seems to have been fed on ghee 'pongal' indeed!

Looking at the hump, I am not sure if it is a Cow (Maadu) or a bull (Kaalai)

Kumbh Mela has started apparently.

http://beta.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00023/AVN16_JALLIKATTU2_23563g.jpg

http://beta.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00023/AVN16_JALLIKATTU5_23572g.jpg

http://beta.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00023/AVN16_JALLIKATTU16_1_23573g.jpg

More pics at http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article81312.ece

^I was about to post a picture of this in the "Picture a post" thread but then realized that it doesn't have any architecture or nature in the backdrop.

That looks pretty brutal. I bet a lot of them end up in the hospital eh?

Yeah, It is quite brutal and casuality this year was lot less than previous year bcos of stricter norms. This doesn't stop people from playing the dangerous traditional game that was been followed for more than 1500 years since the Sangam age.

^^Only the poor animal deserves sympathy and not the humans who forcefully and brutally irritate the animal and pay the price for their deeds.

Kollam Pooram is one of the most colourful and traditional festivals of Kerala. No other festivals in Kerala can match the enthusisam, color and togetherness except Thrissur Pooram. Infact Kollam Pooram is almost catching up with Trissur Pooram year by year in all respects. It attracts large number of people from all parts of the State. The Pooram, organised in connection with the annual festival of the Aashramam Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, will be held at the gigantic Aashramam Maidan in the month of April next to Vishu day. Kollam Pooram has now assumed the status of a national festival attracting tourists in large numbers.

Aashramam Sri Krishnaswamy Temple
http://i41.tinypic.com/2cscl6w.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/esvw9d.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/34s5b9y.jpg

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For the `kudamattom', 30 tuskers split into two groups of 15 each representing the Thamarakulam Sri Mahaganapathy Temple team and the Puthiyakavu Bhagawathy Temple team. The `kudamattom' was held to the beats of a traditional `melam'. The pooram is followed by a spectacular show of fireworks.

Some of the Kollam Pooram snaps from the archives

http://i43.tinypic.com/n5qvx5.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/10ii7gl.jpg

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/254775625_c40345f196.jpg?v=0

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http://i39.tinypic.com/t6zghs.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1548/45527705878d5a0c3222b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chithrangal/4552770587/sizes/l/

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1548/45527705878d5a0c3222b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chithrangal/4552770587/sizes/l/

This is the scale model of "Thrissur Pooram" by the Paramekkavu Devi Temple.

full description is " Paramekkavu Ezhunnallippu Scale Model"

Vilakkeduppu (Taking the lamp) at Thiruvarppu Sri Krishna Swami Temple, Kottayam

Pic (c) sivaprasad @flickr

http://item.slide.com/r/1/9/i/gA-0Wjv1yT9MxuFwYnzNLRjuP1ppOTng/

http://item.slide.com/r/1/3/i/gJHH16sSyz-7yOxHmGKXUyJcYR-DZM_A/

The Hornbill festival is a yearly feature in the first week of december. The festival is held at Naga Heritage Village Kisama, 12 km from Kohima.

Pic (c) peregrin@uploading, little time to comment @ Flickr

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/355/4604084566a62efc0d70b.jpg

http://www.hornbillfestival.com

The Teej festival from Jaipur

cc: Bahadur singh

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2722291084_54cb9646e9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2722448642_d9b1883abb_b.jpg

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cc:mystiquecreation
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cc:fabian f
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cc:Anuradha-sarup101moments.com
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cc:prabhat_photo
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cc:saurbhagaur28
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http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/pravinvpanchal/06032008284.jpg

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http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/pravinvpanchal/DSC01732.jpg

India celebrate different festivals according their culture and through their special rituals add to the colours of Indian Heritage. Some festivals are for welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon while others celebrate religious occasions. All pictures are very nice.

The above words are taken from: http://www.festivalsofindia.in

Nice article.....but one major festival Raksha Bandhan missing in the article the festival of Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) its about siblings love with each other... On this auspicious day of Raksha Bhandhan, a sister ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist and applies tilak on his forehead. After this she prays to god for his long and healthy life. Then the brother expresses his gratitude to her sister by making a promise to protect her from hardship of her life and gifting her something she cherishes.Rakhi is celebrated with much fanfare in Indian communities across the globe
:)
Send Rakhi Gifts To India (http://www.sendonlinerakhitoindia.com)

Nice article.....but one major festival Raksha Bandhan missing in the article the festival of Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) its about siblings love with each other... On this auspicious day of Raksha Bhandhan, a sister ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist and applies tilak on his forehead. After this she prays to god for his long and healthy life. Then the brother expresses his gratitude to her sister by making a promise to protect her from hardship of her life and gifting her something she cherishes.Rakhi is celebrated with much fanfare in Indian communities across the globe
:)
Send Rakhi Gifts To India (http://www.sendonlinerakhitoindia.com)

Thanks buddy, for the info as well as forreviving my thread. :)

Thrissur Pooram

India's largest Temple festival, Thrissur Pooram held in front of celebrated Vadakkumnathan Temple of Thrissur, is a celebration of sights, sounds and spirituality. The festival comprises of competition between two temples- Thiruvambady Krishna temple and Parameekkavu Devi (Goddess) temple along with small processions of another 10 small temples nearby.... The 18 hour musical ensemble and orchestration is one of the world's largest with more than 300 musicians competing each other continuously without breaks.

30 elephants (15 each side) displays varied decors including exchange of decorative umbrellas which are one of the main highlight with innovative display of umbrellas. The event ends with 2 hour long grand competing fireworks, considered to India's longest firework display.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224268_214554245235109_112098462147355_743561_1169960_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225871_214553485235185_112098462147355_743536_5382530_n.jpg

The generally peaceful Vadakkumnathan temple will turn into a sea of people on Thrissur Pooram day

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223486_214553808568486_112098462147355_743546_5754791_n.jpg

The display of Elephant decors and other Pooram items on eve of Pooram day in Exhibition grounds

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224198_214553951901805_112098462147355_743550_6166592_n.jpg

The pooram starts with celebrated procession of Goddess and her retinue starts from Paramekkavu temple to Vadakkumnathan Grounds (Swaraj Grounds or Thekkamkadu maidan)

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The array of fireworks starting from 2:30 am to 4:30 early morning.....

CC:- Kerala Tours

Uthralikavu Pooram (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uthralikavu_Pooram)

Considered to the second largest temple festival in Kerala, after Thrissur Pooram, the Utalikavu Pooram is celebrated as birthday of reigning deity of a small village temple in Wadakkancherry in Thrissur; Kerala. But the scale of festivities is of grand scale, with more than 23 elephants, mega temple pandals, huge ensemble of temple orchestration, mega fireworks and processions.

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CC:- Renjith Travelouge

Really its a amazing so thanks for share these pictures.

Festival of Festivals- The Grand Thrissur Pooram 2012 started

India's largest Temple Festival- Thrissur Pooram has been celebrated in Kerala's cultural capital- Thrissur in all glitz and grand as the festival is known for it. Some photos

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The Grand Vadukkumnathan Temple adorned with illuminations and fireworks

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15 elephants on each rival sides, displaying amazing range of unique umbrellas as part of Kudamattam- The umbrella Exchanges

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The Three Gigantic Pandals on 3 gates of Thrissur Rounds, part of Pooram Traditions.

^^^^^^

Pandals or Ornamental Pavilions are a key part of Thrissur Pooram festivities.

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The Illumination works at temples and Pandals

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The Elephant Decors Exhibition

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The ensemble and Umbrella exchange

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Unbelievable its a amazing so thanks.

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The Unique Ayyappa Umbrella designed by Paramekkavu Temple for Thrissur Pooram-2012 was one the most star pulling Elephant Decor for the festival.

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Thank for sharing.I always remember it.:nuts:

Diwali is the biggest festival of all over in india.All of communities take enjoy of this festival.
I am feel nice to share this post here.

Celebrate the sacred festival of lights by sending traditional Diwali gifts such as Idols, Bandhanwars, Torans, Sweets and Dry Fruits from the comfort of your home.

Thanks buddy, for the info as well as forreviving my thread. :)


Please put in on more on northern indians festivals like Karva Chawth, and many more!

Saifeena
Book your bus ticket online and win an IPad NOW! (http://www.easibook.com)

School Arts Festival of Kerala (Malayalam: Kerala School Kalotsavam) is an annual event conducted by the state government of Kerala, featuring several arts competitions for teenagers. The participants (champions from the similar events held in district levels) are the students from classes 8th to 12th (from age 14 to 18) following the academic syllabus approved by government of Kerala.

The festival was started in 1956, and till 2008, it was known as "State School Youth Festival". It is usually conducted in December-January months of the year.

Kozhikode district lifted the championship when curtain fell on the 53rd State School Art Festival in Malappuram on Sunday evening.

Here is are some photographs (All photographs from Malayala Manorama (http://www.manoramaonline.com/advt/News/School-Fest-2013/photo-gallery-2013.html) & Mathrubhumi (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/schoolkalolsavam_2013/))

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^^lot of beautiful mallu girls...:drool:

God I love Kerala.

^^ You are sure you didn't mean karela?

^^lot of beautiful mallu girls...:drool:

And boys too:lol:

The first local Holi Festival was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday :) Nice to see the spreading Indian influence!

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