Oachira
has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of
Kerala. Historically too, this place is very famous, for,
it was on the plains of Oachira that the much famed battle
in the history of Travancore, the battle of Kayamkulam was
fought between Marthandavarma the Maharaja of Travancore
and the Raja of Kayamkulam. In commemoration of this historic
battle 'Oachirakkali' is conducted on the first and second
of Midhunam (June-July) every year.
The
Oachirakkali was on of the factors that brought fame and
glory to Oachira. On the first and second day of Midhunam
(June-July) the young and the old, drawn from the two karas
lying east and west of Oachira, and forming themselves into
two groups, reach the 'Padanilam' and conduct the age-old
fencing exercises under the leadership of the elder Kalari
Asan. IT is to perpetuate the memory of the great battle
fought between the Maharaja Marthandavarma and the Raja
of Kayamkulam that the Oachirakali is conducted with much
eclat. Thus the Irupathettam Utsavam comes to an end with
the Oachirakkali. A big cattle fair is also held as part
of the above festival.
JAIN
FESTIVAL At Palakkad
There
is an ancient Jain Temple at Jainamedu near the Palakkad
town. According to a legend, one Sutar, head of the Jains,
built this temple 500 years ago for the Jain sage Chandranathaswamy.
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
judgement 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.
The Nehru trophy regatta at Alappuzha on 14th August every year has
become an Independence Day feature. Different types of boats
take part in this competition. They include the bean-shaped
boats, Kitetailed, curly-headed and so on. Between 30 and
60 metres long with tall, cone -shaped, tapering helms protruding
several metres above water and accommodating 100 or more
at the oars, these boats of exquisite elegance plough the
water with the rhythm of drums and cymbals and legendary
songs, typical of Kerala. Above each boat gleam scarlet
silk umbrellas as the boats go in procession in the backwaters
and rivers of a Kerala, which remind one of the sea-faring
and martial traditions of ancient Kerala. The trophy was
instituted by former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
who enthralled by the charm and gaiety of the Kerala Water
Carnival.
OTTAPPALAM
NERCHA FESTIVAL
Juma prayers are held in this mosque on Friday. To Commemorate the
death anniversary of a saintly person by name Uthman Auliya
an annual Festival is held here in January-February.
The
annual Padayani Utsavam of the Bhagavathikkavu at Nilamperoor,
a village in the Kuttanad Taluk on the precincts of Changanassery
Municipal town is a festival which symbolises and reflects
the tradition and culture of a typical Kerala village. The
Padayani Utsavam is celebrated on a grand scale with Kolamkettu
(making of effigies) and Kolamthullal (a kind of ritual
dance performed by carrying the effigies). The chief kolams
displayed are of Siva, Bhima, Ravana, Elephants etc.
VALLARPADAM
FEAST AND FESTIVAL
Being an islet Vallarapadam has access only by water. Held in great
devotion 'Vallarpadath Amma' is believed to have miraculously
saved her devotees several time from violent storms. The
feast of Vallarpadath Amma is held every year on September
24 with much fanfare.The celebrations which last for more
than a week is accompanied by an unusually big fair. The
most important products and articles offered at this fair
are country boats and cars, pots and straw mats. The last
item finds an important market here as the festival falls
in the harvest season.
|
