South India

» Festivals of South India

South Indians are known for their love for religion, tradition and culture and ritualistic lifestyle. The colorful celebrations and festivals of South India are known for their characteristic music, classical dance and theatrical performances, a number of interesting rituals, grand processions, decorations and fireworks. Ugadi, the New Year festival of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has become a day for 'kavi sammelans' or poetry recitals and is considered one of the four most auspicious days in the year to start new ventures. It is believed that Lord Brahma created the world on this day. The festival for the tourists, Deccan Festival of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh is celebrated every year on 25th February. The 5-day long festival showcases the rich culture, arts and crafts of Deccan India along with the Nawabi cuisine and cultural programs such as Ghazals, qawwalis and mushairas.

Hampi Festival is the lively festival of dance and music that infuses new life in its ruins of stone temples, elephant stables, barracks and palaces of Vijaynagar Empire. The Government of Karnataka organizes it and it features dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet shows and fabulous processions. Festivals of Kerala show the religious institutions of the state and its processions feature bedecked Indian elephants and beautiful and creative fireworks. Its festivals include harvest festivals, temple festivals of Hindus known as 'Utsavas', the boat races and water carnivals, and festivals held at Christian and Muslim religious places known as 'Perunals' besides the tourism festivals. Vishu is the New Year Eve according to the old traditional Malayalam calendar and the Kani, main dish of the festival, prepared in the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala in Kerala is famous.

Trikartika is the birth of Goddess Bhagvati and Thiruvathira commemorates the death of Kamadevan, the cupid of Hindu mythology featuring performance of Thiruvathirakali or Kaikottikkali. Kerala Boat Festivals and its water carnivals and snake boat races are a must-see. The famous Tamil festivals are Cape festival at Kanyakumari believed to be the wedding anniversaries of the divine couples of Parvati and Parameshwara, Muruga and Devasena, Andal (also known as 'Kothai') and Rangamannar and Rama and Sita and features the procession of Lord Kallazhagar, the elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi from his abode to his sister's wedding. The internationally acclaimed Mamallapuram Dance Festival, the Saral Festival of Courtallam known for its amazing showers where one neither gets wet nor remains dry and the Annual Tea and Tourism Festival of Ooty. Join the entertainment and become a part of the joyous celebrations of festivals of South India.