Here Comes Festivals; Let's Begin the Celebration

The months of September and October this year are the months of major festivals like the ‘Onam’ festival in Kerala (September) and ‘Pooja’ and ‘Diwali’ (October); and so, it’s time for the celebrations to begin. Most of the celebrations in India are carried out with pomp and colour. In case, of splendour these festivals do have their own significance. Let’s check them out!

Onam (September 14, 2016)

The festival of Onam celebrated in Kerala is a fiesta that lasts for ten days- starting from ‘Atham’ (the first day) and ending on ‘Thiruvonam’ (the tenth day). During the time of Onam, Kerala celebrates its rice harvesting festival and also the festival of rain flowers. Also, Onam is the state festival of Kerala. There is an interesting legend behind the Onam festival.

As the famous legend goes by, King Mahabali was an Asura King whose reign was considered to be the best; all lived in happiness and the lands prospered. Later on he was sent to Pathala, the underworld by Vamana (Lord Vishnu); who granted him the permission to visit his subjects every year.

New dresses, the floral carpet- ‘pookalam’, ‘Onasadhya’- the food fiesta of rice and a variety of curries and payasam (the Indian dessert), Pulikali (in which men paint tigers in different colours on their bodies and dance through the streets), Thiruvadira (a dance performed by girls) and many other games- ‘Onakalikal’ make the celebrations of this festival a rich and colourful one.

Navaratri (October 1, 2016 – October 10, 2016)

Famously known as the Pooja festival, the festival of Navaratri is also a 10-day fiesta in which during the first nine days, the nine forms of the Goddess Durga are worshipped and the tenth day is celebrated Vijaya Dashami (or otherwise known as Dussehra). The festival is famous in India as well as Nepal.

In the Southern parts of India; mainly in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Saraswathi Puja is carried out. Wherein; all the books are placed in temples or houses for Puja. These books are taken back on the day of Vijaya Dashami. For Saraswathi Puja, the Hindu deity, Saraswathi – the Goddess of knowledge is worshipped. The day is considered auspicious for initiating studies and is known as ‘Vidyarambham’.

Diwali (October 30, 2016)

Diwali is celebrated in remembrance of the victory of good over evil and is celebrated 20 days after Vijaya Dashami. Houses well-decorated with lanterns, all dressed in new dresses, people celebrate Diwali after participating in the family Puja by exchanging gifts and sweets and enjoying the fireworks. During the festival of Diwali, the Hindu deity Lakshmi; the Goddess of fertility and prosperity is worshipped. The festival is also known as the ‘festival of lights’.

A good way to celebrate these festivals would be to plan a trip with your beloved ones and where else would be the perfect location other than Kerala. With scenic natural beauty, Kerala welcomes all. Since the place is fixed, next all you need is the right travel agent to take you there. That’s where Leisure Tours can help. Being one among the best travel agents in Kerala, Leisure Tours has well-planned travel itineraries to give one the perfect trip. With a number of Kerala tour package to choose from, Leisure Tours gives one a wide choice; both in case of destinations and prices, to choose the best Kerala tour package that would satisfy his interest.

Foreign travellers and those outside Kerala, who wish to enjoy a traditional Kerala fiesta, can plan a trip to Kerala during September. An Onam celebration in Kerala in the traditional way would indeed be a rich experience. Pookalam, Onasadhya, Maveli, Thiruvadhira, Pulikali all these would be a different yet memorable experience that shows the spirit of Onam celebrations that kindle within the hearts of every Malayalee.

Celebrate this Pooja and Diwali holidays with a Kerala tour. The newly added special Kerala holiday Diwali tour packages from Leisure Tours – the best travel agents in Kerala are sure to light up this year’s Diwali celebrations. The two newly added Kerala holiday tour packages are Pooja – Diwali Special Kerala Tour Package (a 5 days – 4 nights Kerala tour package) and Kerala Special Festival Tour Package (a 7 days – 6 nights Kerala tour package).

The different Kerala tour packages form Leisure Tours – the best tour operators in Kerala covers all major must-see tourist destinations in Kerala. With the duration of these Kerala holiday packages ranging from a few days to a week; and with each package having unique prices, Leisure Tours offers one a wide range of options to choose from.

Wishing one and all, the goodness of this festive season. Happy travelling!