Adoor Gajamela Festival Kerala

Introduction to Adoor Gajamela
The elephant is the most well loved and the revered animal in South India and more so in Kerala. Any temple or religious festivity without elephants do not achieve their desired altitude. Gaja is Sanskrit means elephant and mela means a fair. The Adoor Gajamela is therefore a fair of elephants.

Time of Adoor Gajamela
The Adoor Gajamela is celebrated on the last day of the ten day long annual festival at Sree Parthasarathy temple Adoor.

Description of Adoor Gajamela
Nine majestically caparisoned elephants take part in this spectacular procession which starts from the Parthasarathy Temple and culminates at Chennapatti temple, 3 km from Adoor. Ottanthullal other traditional art forms are also staged on the tenth day. The shrine of Partasarathy is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy. Partha's is the other name for Arjun a charcter in the epic Mahabharata. And Saraythy means charioteer. Lord Krishna drove Arjun's chariot during the Battle of Kurukshetra. The temple also celebrates Ashtamirohini the birthday anniversary of Sree Krishna. 

Parichamuttukali - a folk art resembling the martial steps, Mayooranritham - Peacock dance, Ammandudam, Velakali - dance symbolic of ancient warfare, etc are performed at the temple during the Ashtamirohini festival.

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Aattachamayam in Kerala

Introduction to the Aattachamayam Festival in Kerala
The people of Kerala celebrate the festival of Onam with the greatest of joy and enthusiasm. Their zeal and gusto is noticeable from the time of the celebration of the Aattachamayam Festival which heralds the beginning of the ten day Onam festival. The small historical town of Thripunithura in the Ernakulam district of Kerala is the center of the Aattachamayam Festival.

History of the Aattachamayam Festival in Kerala
The Aattachamayam Festival is held to commemorate the victory of the ruler of Kochi. Earlier, the king along with his followers would go to the Thripunithura Fort in a grand procession. He was extended a warm welcome by his subjects. The subjects would also get the privilege of meeting the king and interacting with him at a personal level. Even though the king no longer exists, the splendid procession is carried on to this day on the occasion of the celebration of the Aattachamayam Festival.

Description of the Aattachamayam Festival in Kerala
The colorful pageantry is the most striking feature of the Aattachamayam Festival in Kerala. The sight of this marvelous procession is indeed very enthralling. You are sure to be impressed by the magnificently decorated elephants. The gorgeous ornamental trappings of the elephants will leave you enamored.
The performances of the folk artistes are also very mesmerizing. A variety of folk music will sound very pleasing to your ears. The musical ensemble plays and sings very harmoniously. The folk dances are no less admirable. The festival provides you the splendid opportunity to be a spectator of almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

The floats are simply fabulous. These elaborate displays mounted on platforms are marvelous to look at. Exquisite sculptures by Canai Kunuram, a local artist, are an added attraction of this fantastic procession. Even though the procession dates back to several centuries it has been more or less unanimously agreed that it has retained its charm and magnificence to this day.

Time for celebrating the Aattachamayam Festival in Kerala
The Aattachamayam Festival is celebrated each year on the Atham asterism in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It roughly coincides with the months of August or September of the Gregorian calendar.

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Tourist Attractions in Sasangir - Gujarat

If you want to see the king of the jungle, lions in India, you better pack your bags and take the road to Sasangir for an unforgettable experience. Tourist Attractions in Sasangir chiefly consist of the famed Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary. It is situated in Gujarat's Saurashtra district. Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary is spread on a sprawling area of 1412 sq kms. You can see the 

King of Beasts on prowl in these rugged hilly terrains of the state of Gujarat. Spotting these wild beats through the intense deciduous forests plus the crisscrossing streams make it an experience worth remembering for a long time to come.

The Asiatic Lions are the biggest Tourist Attractions of Sasangir. Outside Africa, apart from Gir National Park in India, Wildlife Sanctuary of Sasangir is the only place in the country where Asiatic lions can be spotted. An estimated population of 300 lions is there in this National Park. Apart from these famous beasts, some other animals can also be spotted at Wildlife Sanctuary of Sasangir. This includes wild boar, chinkara, striped hyena, common langur, jackal, porcupine, hare, leopard, gazelle, nilgai, black buck, chital, spotted deer, wild ass and four-horned antelope. You can also see Marsh Crocodile in the lake of Kamaleshwar dam. Countless other birds are also housed in this sanctuary.

So, hurry to book yourself for a tour to Sasangir. You are sure to have a lovely time viewing these aforementioned creatures while availing the Sasangir Tour Packages.

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Aarattu in Kerala

Introduction to the Aarattu Festival in Kerala

South India abounds in temples. The state of Kerala is no exception. These temples are the centers of a large number of fairs and festivals. There are innumerable customs and rituals that are related to these festivals and they are religiously followed at the time of the celebration of these festivals.

Two such prime rituals that are followed in the important temples of Kerala are Pallivetta (Royal Hunt) and Aarattu (Holy Bath). The Aarattu Festival in Kerala is of special relevance at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

History of the Aarattu Festival in Kerala

As mentioned before, the Aaarattu Festival is more of a ritual than a festival that is connected to the temple festivals in Kerala. The custom has been traditionally observed ever since the festivals were celebrated. However at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, this religious rite is observed with so much of ceremonial elegance and splendor that it is synonymous with celebrating a festival. The Aarattu Festival in Kerala therefore gains greater magnitude at Thiruvananthapuram.

Description of the Aarattu Festival in Kerala

The unique feature of the Aarattu Festival as celebrated at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is that when the idols are taken for the holy bath, the head of the royal family of the erstwhile state of Travancore accompanies the procession. It is indeed a very grand procession that is sure to impress one with its magnificence. The idols are taken to the Shankumugham Beach and then given the purifying bath in the sea.

The Aarattu Festival is also celebrated at the Sree Krishnaswamy Temple at Ambalapuzha with much brilliance even though it does not match the celebrations at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Here the festival begins with a flag hoisting ceremony. Apart from the traditional holy bath of the idol, an important feature of the festival as celebrated in this temple is that Ambalapuzha Palpayasam, a sweet dish is always offered to the lord.

Time for celebrating the Aarattu Festival in Kerala

The Aarattu Festival is celebrated twice each year. It is once celebrated in the months of October - November and yet again in the months of March - April. On both the occasions, this festival lasts for a period of ten days.

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Aranmula Boat Race

Introduction to the Aranmula Boat

Race in Kerala
Boat Racing is one of the foremost cultural attractions in the beautiful state of Kerala. In God's Own Country, a large number of regattas are organized each year. A large number of people enthusiastically participate in this aquatic event not just as participants but also as viewers. The Aranmula Boat Race is held in Kerala with a great deal of fervor and vigor.

History of the Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala
According to legend, a devotee was once carrying offerings for Lord Krishna. Unfortunately his boat was looted. This broke his heart and in order to give him consolation, God himself appeared before him. He was advised to make larger boats so that they could be rowed by several men and could easily make its way through the water. This is how the snake boats originated. The people of Aranmula even believe that on the day of the race the boat possesses and shares some of the attributes of God.

Description of the Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala
The boat race in Aranmula is held on the River Pampa. A temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna is located at Aranmula. The boat race takes place in the vicinity of this Parthasarathy temple. The banks of the Pampa River are overcrowded with people who are keen on witnessing this impressive event.

The small hamlets on the banks of the Pampa Rivers are the contestants of this boat race. But it would be more appropriate to term it as part of festive celebrations rather than as a competition. It is true that that winning does bring a lot of joy to the villagers but there is no fierce rivalry between them.4 helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and 25 singers are seen in these 100 ft long snake boats or Chundan Vallams. The atmosphere is simply exhilarating when these boats start moving to reach the finishing line. The songs as well as the shouts and cheers fill the air. The joyous excitement of the crowd reaches its high water mark.

It is indeed a visual treat to watch the ornamentally decorated boats racing through the water. They are beautifully adorned with golden laces, colorful flags and opulently decorated umbrellas. The rowers are also dressed in the same attire - spotlessly white dhotis and turbans.

Time for celebrating the Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala
The Aranmula Boat Race begins each year on the last day of the Onam festival. It lasts for two days. 

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