Chandanakuda mahotsavam in beemapalli

The holy shrine of Beema Beevi, more popularly known as Beempalli, which is held sacred by Muslims as well as others, is situated about five kilometres southwest of the Trivandrum Central Railway Station, on the beach road leading to Poonthura via Valiyathura. Beemapalli is a shrine dedicated to the hallowed memory of Beema Beevi, a pious and devoted Muslim lady gifted with divine powers. It is one of the most distinguished mosques in Kerala, which draws large gatherings. Pilgrims of all ages from all communities can be seen heading towards the shrine all along the routes during this festival.

Attukal ponkala

There is an ancient Bhagavathy temple (Mudipura) at Attukal in the Kaladi ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The most important festival in this temple, generally known as Attukal Ponkala commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February-March) and continues for nine days. The festival begins with Thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathi) which goes on during all the nine days. On the ninth day, several thousands of women assemble in the temple compound with ponkala pots and the required quantities of rice and other ingredients for ponkala.

Malappuram nercha

Malappuram Nercha :Years ago, one of the female dependants of Para Nambisan, a petty chieftain of Malappuram, was taken away by the local Muslims as a slave. Para Nambisan who could not bear this ignominy wanted to wreak vengeance upon the culprits. He therefore, sent for Marakkar, a leader of the local Muslims and the confrontation between them resulted in a fierce flight, causing death for so many on both sides. In memory of the devoted Muslim leaders who gave up their lives during the fight, a nercha is conducted every year, either in February or in March in the Mosque at Malappuram. Processions, coming from the neighboring villages bringing with them Nercha boxes to the playing of instrumental music and other entertainments, are the highlights of this nercha. A very large number of Muslim devotees participate in this annual festival.

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Rakkuli Thirunnal

Rakkuli Thirunal is the terminology of Common parlance to denote the feast of Epiphany celebrated every year on the 6th January in the St. Thomas Cathedral Church at Pala. It has been the occasion of a vast fair where articles of every necessity are exhibited for sale.

Jewish Perunnal

Among the Jewish festivals, the Sabbath (Saturday) occupies the pride of place. The Sabbath gives the labourer every week a day of rest and leisure. Passover or the feast of unleavened bread is one commemorating the birth of Israel as a nation and deliverance of the Jews from the Egyptian slavery. It falls in April or May. Pentecost is another Jewish festival held in May-June. It has an agricultural and historical significance. The feast of Tabernacle is another pilgrim festival falling in either September or October. During this feast, Jews set temporary booths covered with palm leaves and decorated with citrus and other fruits. The Jewish New Year falls in September or October. It is not a time for revelry, but a solemn season for self-assessment and judgment in the life of the Jew. The Day of Atonement following the New Year is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. Not a morsel of food or a drop of water will pass the lips of the observant Jews from subset of the previous day till after the nightfall of the next day. The Jews will be in the synagogue of devoting themselves to fervent prayers. The Hannukka or the festival of lights is another popular celebration of the Jews.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

The most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha on the second saturday of every August. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala has been attracting people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alleppey the main attraction of which is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race. This trophy named as NEHRU TROPHY was donated by the late Prime Minister of INDIA Jawaharlal Nehru to the winners of the first boat race which was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha.

This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also. In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly known as Chundan, Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner.The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Panditji are inscribed above his signature.

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