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 Through
the Kaleidoscope of festivals, South India appears to
be a colorful and vibrant place to live in and tour.
The cities of South India, including the places of worships
and state buildings, are adorned with startling lights
that leave an outsider mesmerized. For, the architecturally
rich and culturally evolving societies of South India
connect to their unparalleled cumulative historical
struggles and achievements etched in mythology through
these very festivals. A festivals tour of South India
gives you a comprehensive taste of the distinct culture
that underlines a progressive lifestyle in South India.
Festivals to see on your travel to South India:
» Onam Festival
» Pongal Festival
» Karthigai Deepam Festival
» Aranmula Boat Race Festival
» Nehru Trophy Boat Race
» Pooram Festival
Onam Festival - The
ten day long national festival of Kerala and one of
the oldest festivals of India, Onam is celebrated during
the harvest season to mark the arrival of the legendary
king Mahabali. The legend has it that King Mahabali,
under whose reign Kerala prospered and evolved holistically,
was ousted by Vaman (dwarf avatar of Vishnu) to appease
the jealous gods. Owing to his iconic stature, however,
Mahabali was allowed to visit his kingdom once a year.
Flower decorations and porridges (payasam) with a taste
unique to Kerala, South India are prepared to greet
the generous King Mahabali. Snake boat races at Champakulam,
Aranmula and Kottayam mark the end of the ten-day celebration
that is the Onam festival of South India.
Pongal Festival - Pongal
Festival of South India, one of the biggest harvest
festivals in the world, marks a day that is celebrated
all over India for the same reason: the end of winter
and the beginning of spring that ushers in abundance
and health of crops to make the farming season a success.
Bihu in Assam and Lohri in Punjab are also celebrated
for the same reason. Pongal (or boiling over) is a big
event for the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh,
India. Also, a chariot procession travels through the
streets of Chennai, beginning from Kandaswamy Temple.
Aranmula Boat Race -
A race without competition is a hard concept to comprehend.
However, a competition less race is a reality at the
annual Aranmula snake boat race that begins with the
end of the Onam Festival at the Sri Parthasarathy Temple
in Kerala, South India. It is believed that God blesses
and accompanies all the boats in the race so that the
end of the race is an even tie with all the snake boats
slithering past the finishing line together. The boat
is a sight to behold in itself: a tapering front with
a curved tail holds 4 helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and 25 singers.
As the oarsmen row in unison, the singers sing over
the drowning voices of the cheering crowds racing along
the banks with the racing boats. It is then that you
forget it's a race and get immersed in the sheer joy
of participating.
 Karthigai
Deepam Festival - Considered to be an extension
of Diwali Festival, Karthigai Deepam Festival is celebrated
with lights on a full moon day in the Tamil month of
Karthigai. This festival of South India has found its
way into the eclectic and rich literature pool of Tamil
Nadu and is the oldest documented festival in South
India especially Tamil Nadu. The festival is marked
by 'Kolams' (rice rangolis) drawn on the courtyards
of the Tamil homes, followed by lighting of an astounding
number of lamps and a bonfire in front of the temples
in the evening in honor of Lord Shiva.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race -
Alappuzha, resting on the banks of Kerala backwaters,
hosts the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race that is a major
tourist attraction in South India. Held at the Punnamada
Lake, the race between the snake boats (Chundans), with
nearly a 100 oarsmen that gracefully slice through the
water with the agility of a water snake, is a spectacle
to behold. The oarsmen row to the beats of the folklores
(Vanchipattu) sung with all the might a martial arts
warrior could muster on the battlefield. The race festival
of South India celebrates the martial arts tradition
of Kerala and you should celebrate along with the local people
on your festival travel to South India.
Pooram Festival - On
the eve of a destined spring day, Thrissur and other
provinces in Kerala stir to festive activities. It is
time again for the meeting (Pooram) between the various
Gods residing in the temples of Kerala, South India.
Held on the spacious grounds of Vadakkunnatha Temple
at Thrissur, the Pooram festival of South India is a
spectacle that a few tourists would want to miss. Elephants,
elaborately decorated, along with silk parasols, peacock
fans etc., parade on the ground before lining up in
two rows of 13. The configuration with a converging
perspective makes for a spectacular view. Along with
the fireworks -lighted evening sky in the background,
the Pooram festival of South India leaves people, even
with the poorest compositional senses, with a desire
to click a stunning photograph.
SouthIndiaTravelTourism.com offers the following
travel packages:
 Temples
of South India
Festivals
of South India
South
India Beach Tours
Kerala
Backwater Tours
South
India Hill Stations Tours
South
India Yoga and Meditation Tours
SouthIndiaTravelTourism.com offers specialized tour
booking, and travel packages so for travel to South
India during festivals. To book your tour, or for more
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