Kerala temple festivals - Social and religious combination

India is a land of diversities, festivals and holistic seasonal assembling with full communal contribution. Festivals make a sense of belonging by congregation of individuals, families and communities.

Kerala is a small state at the south end part of India. In the tourist map, Kerala is traced as ‘God’s Own Country’ and has vast number Hindu temples. This land of miscellany is wealthy in heritage and has numerous festival merriment and traditions.

Usually the temple festivals of Kerala are starting at the beginning of summer season (February) and ends at the end of May month.  Kerala’s temple festivals are a unique occasion which shows the characteristic simplicity of Kerala life style. Celebration may be for one day or it last up to ten days in some temples. These festivals are highly structured and colorful in nature. There are traditional belief and legends at the back of these temple festivals.

The main practices during temple festivals are:

-         Donating to temple ( money, gifts, cloths, gold, oil, lamp, bell and other worship article)

-         Feast to the public

-         Full day glorification of God by the devotees

-         Night time drama, dance and music continue till morning

-         Decorating the temple and its surroundings with light, colored flag, banana, palm and coconut leaves and flowers.

      The ‘ARATTU’ (royal hunt) is a traditional parade of the temple God at the closing of the ten day festival. There will be colorful processions and road shows. A decorated elephant goes in front of the procession accompanied by drum and other traditional musical instrument troops. When it enters inside the temple premises, variety of noisy, colorful and sparkling fireworks lights up the dark sky. Fireworks show is an essential element in these festivals.

How we get social integration through these festivals?

Now we are living in a digital world of face book, what sap and other social Medias and our personal life is withdrawn from the surrounding society. Because of these social gathering is very rare in this century especially among youths. Festivals give you some relief from this crucial situation.

Our festivals ensue in integrating the people in community morals and it ties social bonding to achieve harmony, prosperity and social integrity.  Festival season is the ideal time to memorize the wonderful tradition of our society. Also friends and family relationships are improving through the festivals. The focal point of festivals is to construct social link and pleasure.