The colourful mosaic of Kerala festivals and fairs - as diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of the State. The important fairs and festivals in the state are:

Sivarathri (February-March)

Mahasivarathri is celebrated by the Hindus in Kumbham. It is supposed to commemorate the day on which Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakutavisham) to save the world from destruction. The annual Sivarathri festival held on the banks of Periyar at Alwaye is one of the most colourful local festivals of Kerala.

Easter ( April )

Easter, though not a spectacular as Christmas, is the older of the two festivals. It commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and falls in the Month of April. The Holy week of Easter is preceded by 40 days of fast and Prayer (Lent). The week begins with Sunday and special prayers are offered during this week. The whole Easter celebration has its accent on spirituality rather than festivity.

Miladi Sharif (April)

Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the birth of the prophet. This celebration has acquired its present dimensions only in recent times. Previously the day was observed by the Muslims by reading what is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings of the prophet or some saint.

Thrissur Pooram (April-May)

Thrissur is best known for its mammoth Pooram festival held in the Malayalam month of Medam. It is the most colourful and spectacular event in Kerala. Spectators from all parts of the State and even outside throng the Thekkinkadu grounds to watch the spectacle. Introduced during the reign of Sakthan Thampuran (1775-1790), the Raja of Kochi, the Pooram is a display of strength by the two groups representing the main geographic divisions of Thrissur, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. Two teams of fifteen richly caparisoned elephants each line up face to face on the vast grounds. And then ` Kudamattam', a competition in the swift and rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequinned parasols is conducted. The whole event takes place in rhythm to the traditional orchestra 'Pandimelam'.

Vishu (April-May)

The Vishu festival falls on the first day of Medam, the astronomical New Year day and Hindus all over the State celebrate it. It is the common belief that the fortunes of the coming year depend on the first object they see on the Vishu day. So the important ceremony connected with Vishu is the Kani Kanal, which literary means the first sight. This kani includes cadjan leaf book, gold ornaments, fresh and white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil lamps emitting sparkling light. An indispensable item connected with Vishu is the Vishu Kaineettam, which means the gift of money to the children and to the poor people by the elder members of the family.

Onam (August-September)

Onam is the most important national festival of Kerala, falls in the month of Chingam. It is the harvest festival of Kerala. There are several legends regarding its origin. The most popular legend is that Mahabali, the legendary king who ruled over Kerala in an age of plenty and was pushed down to the infernal regions by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana, returns to see his people once a year. The celebration of Onam as a national festival was taken up on Government initiative in Kerala in 1961.The celebrations start formally on the day of Atham asterism. Onam has certain social aspects. It provides an occasion for the family get-together for the Keralites. The head of the family presents clothes as gift (Onapudava) to the junior members, servants and tenants. There are certain recreational and other aspects associates with the festival. Karadikali, pulikali, Kuttiyum kolum are some of the major recreational events performed by the people on the Onam occasion.

Vallom Kali (August-September)

Among the typical festivals of Kerala the Vallomkali or boat regatta has a place of honour. The most important of the boat regattas are held during the Onam season in Chingam in the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. Aranmula is the venue of the famous sake boat regatta held on the Uthrittathi day in connection with the Onam festival.

Thiruvathira (December-January)

Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu and is a women's festival. It commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the cupid of Hindu mythology. The aim of the celebration is conjugal harmony and happiness. The dance form Thiruvathirakkali is associated with this celebration.

Christmas (December)

Christmas, which falls on The 25th of December, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is jovial and spectacular celebration with many customs and conventions associated with it. The Christmas tree will be arranged and the appearance of Santa Claus (the Christmas father) and the distribution of presents follow this. There is a feast in every Christian home on Christmas day with meat as a special item. The Christmas cake has now become very popular even in Villages. All the Keralites with out any difference celebrate Christmas.

Bakrid

The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering of his only son as a sacrifice in obedience to God's command. The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day. The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and distribute it among friends, relatives and the poor. The famous Haj is performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.

Idul Fitr

Idul Fitr is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during the day and spend the major part of the night prayer.

Muharram

Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10 th day of Muharram the forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.

In addition to this, a number of Boat Races are also held in Kerala, which are:

Alappuzha Tourism Boat Race (9th January)

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (Moolam day of Midhunam - July)

Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada (2nd Saturday of August)

Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race (last Saturday of August)

Payippad Jalotsavam (4th Onam day - August/September)

Neerettupuram Boat Race (Onam - August/September).