Date: 24-26 Apr 2024
The following are the performances held as part of the annual Kaliyattam/theyyam festival at Kadannappally Kananjeri Bhagavathi Kshethram.
24 Apr- evening – ceremonial start followed by Thottam performance of the deity Kananjeri Bhagavathi, Vellattam of Thoovakkaran and by midnight Theyyam performance of Thovakkaran.
24 Apr- evening Thottam of Kananjeri Bhagavathi, Vellattam of Baali
Date: 21 Apr – 01 May 2024;
11 day annual festival Ulsavam at Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Kshethram, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur district is celebrated with ceremonial processions Pallivetta, Aarattu etc with caparisoned elephants, Panchavadyam and Melam. Cultural programmes like Kathakali, classical dances, Musical concerts, Thiruvathirakkali,Thayambaka etc are also held in the evening on all these days.
Date: 05 – 15 May 2026
Annual Kaliyattam/ Theyyam festival at Cheemeni Vishnumoorthy Kshethram (Cheemeni Mundya). Thottam and Theyyams of the deities Rakthachamundi and Vishnumoorthy are performed on these days.
Kaliyattam at Adikadalayi Viswakarma Bhagavathi Kshethram
Date: 28-30 Mar 2024
Theyyam festival with tHeyyam/ Thottam/Vellattam performances
28 mar- Ceremonial start of the festival
29 Mar- 5pm onwards- Vellattam performances of Elamkarumakan, Poothadi, Gulikan, Urppazhassi Daivathar, Vishnu Moorthy, Vettakkorumakan, Bhagavathi
11pm- Kalasam Varavu , a ritual procession from Unnakkandy Tharavad
Thirunal, the feast at the famous ancient church at Edappally, dedicated to St. George (St.Geevargese), who lived in 3rd century AD. Colourful procession with band and music is conducted through Edappally town with the idol of St. Geevargese on both these days (4.30pm – 8.30pm). Preparing chicken dishes by devotees is a special offering in these days. The purpose is to avoid snake fear and its disturbance. 10th & 11th May is observed as Ettamidam, the Octave, a repetition of the Thirunal day celebrations. The procession is held on 11 May.
On all these days, the performers start drawing the figure of the deity on the floor, from the afternoon onwards and will be complete in 3-4 hours. The main ritual starts after sunset (8pm- 10.30pm) with a procession, Kalam Pattu (Songs), Kalam Maykkal (remove the picture ritually), etc.
Three grand processions are held on the first day (7.30am-11am, 2.30pm- 6.30pm and 1.30am- 4.00am, after midnight) with caparisoned elephants, Nadaswaram, Panchavadyam, Melam, etc. From the second day onwards one elephant with Melam, Nadaswaram etc. lead the processions (7.30am-10am, 4pm-6pm and late night around 10.30pm).
In Sanskrit language 'Vishu' means 'equal' and it is not only a festival of Malayalees. The festival is celebrated all across India with different names. In Assam Vishu festival is celebrated as Bihu where as in Punjab the festival is recalled as Baisakhi.
Eid-ul-Fitr or Meethi Eid 2023 will be celebrated in India on April 22, 2023.Eid-ul-Fitr is the earlier of the two official holidays.
The vishu marks first day of astrological year and hence Lord Vishnu and his incarnation Lord Krishna are worshipped on the day of Vishu.