NAVARATHRI
The Navarathri dedicated to Devi, the 'Diving Mother' is celebrated all over India. In some places it is called Dussehra, in some other places 'Kalipuja' or 'Saraswathi Puja' and in still others, 'Ayudha Puja'. During Navarthri days the Divine Mother is worshipped in one or the other of her different manifestations namely Durga, Saraswathi, Kali, etc. The puja in connection with Navarathri is known as Bhuvaneswari Puja which means, the worship of 'Universal Mother'.

The festival is celebrated during the first nine days in the bright half of Aswina namely September-October. The last three days of the Navarathri are called Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadasami, and they are considered more sacred that the other days of Devi worship. It is believed that by offering prayers to Devi during these three dyas one can attain the full benefits of observing the Navarathri rites for the whole period.

People of Kerala celebrate Navarathri in a befitting manner. The Saraswathi Puja and Ayudha Puja are performed. The Goddesss Saraswathi is worshipped as the Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayathri, the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme vedantic knowledge. The importance Ayudha Puja (the worship of implements) on this occasion may be due to the fact that on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Vani tree in order to lead a life in disguise for the promised period of exile. It is believed that one who begins or renovates his learning to work on the Vijayadasami day will secure a grand success as Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.

On the Durgashtami day a ceremony called Poojavaipu is performed in the evening. In a village, generally, it is done only in certain households, in temples and also sometimes in the village schools. The Brahmin houses and the houses which enjoy reputation for learning, mainly take the lead in celebrating the festival. The members of other houses in the village attend the ceremony performed in these houses or institutions.

In a well-decorated room, books and grandhas (holy books) are tastefully arranaged with a picture or an image of Goddess Saraswathi in front. In certain places weapons and implements are kept by the side of books and grandhas. Then a puja is performed to Saraswathi during which fruits, beaten rice, roasted paddy (malar), jaggery etc. are offered to Her. These offerings are distributed among those present when the Puja is over. Just before the pujavaipu, all studies and work which mainly require skill, are suspended.

The following day is known as Mahanavami and it is totally devoted to the worship of Saraswathi. Pooja is performed both in the morning and in the evening. Many more items such as rice, payasam, Thirali etc are also offered to Devi along with the items mentioned above.

On the Vijayadasami day after a puja in the morning, the books and implements are removed from the room and this ceremony is called 'pooja Eduppu'. The time or the break up of the puja marks the beginning of learning and work. Learning and work commence at this auspicious moment.

This is called 'Ezhuthinu Iruthu' or Vidyarambham and according to custom only after this ceremony a child becomes entitled to write or read.

There are certain communities which celebrate the festival on all the days of Navarathri. Images of Gods, animals and toys of different variety are arranged for exhibition and this performance is called 'Koluvaipu'.


Unique is the Navarathri celebration at Sree Padmanabha Swami, Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, Apart from the usual pujas and rituals, calssical music night during the festival in which luminaries of Carnatic music participate. Started by Maharaja Swathithirunal this is a cultural event that the muscians and instrumentalists look forward to with enthusiasm and expectaiton.

NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE

The Nehru Trophy regatta at Alappuzha on 14th August every year has become an Independence Day feature. Different types of boats take part in this competition.They include the bean-shaped boats, Kitetailed, curly-headed and son on. Between 30 and 60 metres long with tall, cone-shaped, tapering helms protruding several metres above water and accomodating 100 or more at the oars, these boats of exquisite elegance plough the waters with the rhythm of drums and cymbals and legendary songs, typical of Kerala. Above each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas as the boats go in procession in the backwaters and rivers of Kerala, which remind one of the sea-faring and martial traditions of ancient Kerala. The trophy was instituted by former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was enthralled by the charm and gaiety of the Kerala water carnival.

NELLIKULANGARA VELA

In the Vallanghi village of Chittur taluk, there is a beautiful temple dedicated to goddess Bhagavathi. The deity of this temple is called Nellikulangara Bhagavathi. To invoke the blessings of the Goddess, the people of Vallanghi and Nemmara conduct a festival in 20th Meenam (March-April) every year. This is the famous Vallanghi Vela. One of the attractions of this festival is the grand procession carrying the image of Bhagavathi on the back of a richly decked elephant and the local inhabitants with the accompaniments of Panchavadyam et. During the night, there will be a grand display of pyrotechnics. The vela is conducted by the villagers in a spirit of healthy competition. Divided themselves into two groups, the residents of enthusiasm, each group trying to excel the other in the pomp and pageantry of the vela go up year by year, the crowds of devotees attending the festivities also grew bigger and bigger.

The flag-hoisting ceremony in connection with the vela is held jointly by the residents of Vallanghi and Nenmara on the 9th Meenam. On all days following the flag-hoisting till the eve of the vela, kummatti, karivela, Andivela and similar other folk rituals are performed. These three ceremonies together are known as Kanyar. Judging from the pomp and splendour of the festival, one is prone to think that the Vallanghi vela is second to none in Kerala after the Pooram festival of Thrissur.

MULLACKAL UTSAVAM

Situated at the centre of Alappuzha town is the beautiful Devi temple, familiarly known as the Mullackal Devi temple. Although this temple is located at the busy centre of the town, the atmosphere around the temple is serene and calm.

A minor festival, the Kodiyettu Utsavam is celebrated in the temple during the Navarathri day, though the Chirappu is by far the most important festival which is as famous as the Sivarathri festival of Aluva, and the Ashtami celebrations of Vaikom. Past the month of Vrischikam, when Dhanu approaches, (December) the entire Alappuzha town assumes a festive look, throbs with activity and exults in jubilation. During these days, streets and buildings are decorated with flags and festoons. Big arches are put up across roads and the entire locality is illuminated with colour bulbs. The main thoroughfares are the bespread with snowy bright sand and the roads would appear as though they were covered with white carpet. Various fancy goods, especially requirements of the fair sex, vessels of various sizes and types etc. are lavishly displayed for sale in the fair during the Chirappu days. Certainly, in no other Devi temple in Kerala, the Chrirappu Utsavam is celebrated on as large a scale as in the Mullackal Devi temple.

NEW YEAR DAY

New Year is not merely the first day of January, buy it has wider connotations. The celebration is at least as old as the Babylonian festival dating as back as 3000 B.C. The practice of keeping a prayer-vigil during the closing hour of the passing year and the birth of the new year with a midnight worship is only slowly becoming a custom among the Christians in Kerala. Members of Christian families now assemble in Churches and offer prayers. At midnight the bells in Churches and offer prayers. At midnight the bells of churches peal joyously ringing in the year. Communion follows immediately or in the morning. The day is at times more festive than Christmas. At home there will be something additionally to serve anyone caring to drop in during the day.

NIRANAM FESTIVAL

Of all the places hallowed in the annals of Christianity in India, Niranam holds pride of place. In social, cultural, literary and political matters, this small village has kept up its own distinctive, pristine traditions. It must have once been busy, thriving port where there was brisk maritime trade. The fame of Niranam mush have reached Syria and weighed most with St. Thomas. He is believed to have visited Niranam in 53 AD, erected a crucifix and founded and built a church on the site. In spite of the initial protest against propagation of Christianity, many local people gradually embraced it and they formed a congregation which in due course grew into the Malabar Christian Church. It is to St. Mary the Niranam church is dedicated.

The present edifice is a renovation of the old. The tall, granite cross in front of the church is a relic of the past. The paintings and sculpture bear eloquent testimony to a high architectural standard. A statue of St. Mary carved in marble and another in pure gold are the proud possessions of the church. Moreover, a holy cross of the church, made of pure gold and set with precious stones, is unrivalled in craftsmanship and cost.

The main religious festival is in honour of the Holy Mother on August 15. Special mass is held on that day. The birthday of St. Mary is celebrated on a grand scale on 8th September. The feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on 3rd July.