Kerala help

Vishu

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:38:36 +0000

Among the various Hindu festivals in Kerala, Vishu occupies a unique position in more than one respect. As symbol of the unostentatious Malayali, Vishu is free from the usual pomp and show and merry-making associated with other festivities. When almost all the festivals are connected in some way or other with religion, Vishu has nothing to do with it, though it is observed with religious solemnity. The first day for Medam is the unchangeable day of Vishu, whereas other festivals are determined according to the lunar asterisms on which they fall. This day on which Vishu falls is the astronomical new year day and it is celebrated as such. The Malayalis believe that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. In order to fulfill the desire to look at the auspicious articles, they prepare a ‘Kani’ (anomen) on the previous day for seeing in the next morning. In circular bell-metal vessel known as ‘Urule’ some raw rice is put and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread

A golden coloured cucumber, betel leaves, betel nuts, metal mirror, yellow flowers of Konna tree (cassia fistula), a Grandha (book of palm leaves) and a few gold coins are then placed over the cloth in the vessel arranged in a decorative fashion. Two coconut halves containing oil and lighted wicks are also placed in the vessel which illuminate the articles inside it. A bell-metal lamp filled with coconut oil is kept burning by the side of the vessel. Early in the morning of the Vishu at about 5 O’clock, one of the members of the house, usually the eldest female member gets up and lights the lamp and looks at’ Kani’ . She wakes up other member, one after another and the Kani is shown to everyone of them, taking particular care not to allow anyone to look by chance at other things. The vessel is taken to the bedside to the members or if it is too big to be carried, it is placed at one spot and the members are led there blind-folded. Even the cattle are not deprived of this privilege, as the Kani is taken to the cattle-shed and placed before them to have a look

The next item is giving of handsel (Kaineetom). The eldest member of the family takes some silver coins and gives them to a junior member with some raw rice and Konna flower. This is repeated in the case of other members also and they in turn give such handsel to their juniors, relatives, servants etc. After this the children begin to fire crackers

Vinayaka Chaturthi

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:37:33 +0000

This festival is celebrated in the month of avani on chaturthi (4th) day which comes after the new moon. For anything to go well, people pray on this day to Lord Vinayaka or Ganesha. Lord Vinayaka has got an elephant face and human body. He is worshipped by many names like Vinayaka, Ganesha, Pillayar, Vigneshwara, Gajanana, Ganapathy, Mooshika Vahanaa, Modhaga priya etc..

Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:36:48 +0000

It marks the birth of the Sree Narayana Guru, the Kingpin of a social revolution, which transformed the caste-ridden society of Kerala
Janmashthami or Sree Krishna Jayanti This festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi
It marks the death ceremony of the Sree Narayana Guru, the Kingpin of a social revolution, which transformed the caste-ridden society of Kerala

Easter

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:32:46 +0000

Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself. The Central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but his resurrection. Easter derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday

The content of Easter was gradually analyzed into historical events and each began to be celebrated on a different day. As a result, Easter grew into a Holy Week and came to have a preparatory season to precede and a festive season to follow. Thus we have four distinct periods in connection with the observance of Easter –
1. Lent, the forty preparatory penitential days.
2. Holy Week including the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
3. the Octave ofEaster (classical time for Baptism) and
4. the paschal season or Easter time extending over forty more days. On Holy Thursday the Lord’s supper is held in the evening. The washing of feet is a remarkable trait, emphasizing the love for one another. At home there will be the rite of the paschal bread. After supper, the ‘cross cake’ is brought out and cut into pieces. A piece is broken, dipped into sauce and handed over to each member of the family in due order

Idul-Fitr

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:30:10 +0000

Also known as ‘Ramadan’, is one of the two festivals of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year. During this month the Muslims observe fast, giving up all kinds of food and drink during day time, and spend the major part of the night in devotion and prayer.

Deepavali

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:29:03 +0000

Deepavali, the festival of lights, is held throughout India. In Kerala, this is celebrated only by Hindus. It falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October-November). It is celebrated in commemoration of the destruction of the demon called Narakasura by Lord Krishna. As Lord Krishna killed Narakasura on the Chaturdasi day (the fourteenth lunar day) it is also known as Narakachaturdasi

Before sunrise, all in the house have their oil bath and put on new cloths. Sweets are then served followed by bursting of crackers. The word ‘Deepavali’ means an array of lights. The people of Dwaraka greeted Lord Krishna with illumination and rejoicing in honour of his victory over Narakasura. The darkness of the Chaturdasi night compelled them to use many lamps on the occasion, and subsequently the illumination became a part of this celebration

Trissur pooram

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:26:59 +0000

One of the largest and most spectacular temple festivals of the world, the Thrissur Pooram unfolds against the backdrop of the famed Vadakumnathan Temple in Trichur, the sanctum of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Drawing huge masses of people and involving meticulous planning, this festival has been described as the ‘mother of all poorams’. It is essentially an assemblage of the ten deities from nearby temples paying homage to their lord and benefactor, Vadakumnathan. Principle participants are the two temples of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi; their friendly and much feted rivalry enlivens the proceedings. The pooram culminates in a parade of thirty elephants from adjoining temples and some stunning fireworks at 2.30, next morning

Bakrid

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:22:46 +0000

Bakr Id, also known as Id-ul-Zuha in Arabic, is one of the grandest of Muslim festivals. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month, Zil-Hijja, of lunar calendar of the Muslims. The festival is celebrated by Muslims throughout the world with similar gaiety and fervor. Bakr Id, in Kerala, is a national holiday so that the Muslims along with people of other religious background can get together and enjoy the festivities

Bakr Id is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice celebrated in remembrance of the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim. The festival also marks the completion of the Haj, the Muslim pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. All festivals of Islam have some religious significance and are occasions to express their gratitude to God. Bakr Id signifies sacrifice and brotherly love for each other

Christmas

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:15:34 +0000

Christmas, the most popular festival of the Christians, is celebrated to mark the birth date of Jesus of Nazareth. Besides, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas also combines various secular traditions influenced mainly by ancient winter festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia. A typical Christmas celebration includes Christmas trees, cakes, exchange of gifts and cards and the arrival of Santa Claus on the Christmas Eve to give away presents. The festival promotes goodwill, compassion and love

Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 throughout the world. But some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. It is usually preceded by the Christmas Eve and followed by the Boxing Day.

It is not known that when or why December 25 came to be associated with the birthday of Jesus Christ as the New Testament does not specify a particular date for his birth. Sextus Julius Africanus propagated the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book for the Christians written in 221 AD. In the beginning, the Jesus’s birth date was not associated with any celebration or festivity. The earliest reference to Christmas is in the Calendar of Filocalus, an illuminated manuscript compiled in Rome in 354 AD. In the east, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus as the part of Epiphany on January 6, although this festival focused on the baptism of Jesus

South-West monsoon active over Kerala

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:51:58 +0000

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 : South-West monsoon has been active over Keral, while very light rain occurred in Lakshadweep.

According to local weather office here today, Manjeri recorded the highest rainfall of seven cm, followed by Karippur airport eight and Vythiri seven.

The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm were CIAL Kochi, Perumbavur, Kozhikode and Vaikom four each, Perinthalmanna, Ottappalam, Thrissur and Vallanikkara three each.

Rain or thundershowers were likely at most places in the state and at isolated places in the Union Territory, it added.

Strong onshore wind from westerly direction with speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 kmph was likely off over Kerala coast and Lakshadweep during the next 24 h ours, the office added.

According to local weather office here today, Manjeri recorded the highest rainfall of seven cm, followed by Karippur airport eight and Vythiri seven.

The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in cm were CIAL Kochi, Perumbavur, Kozhikode and Vaikom four each, Perinthalmanna, Ottappalam, Thrissur and Vallanikkara three each.

Rain or thundershowers were likely at most places in the state and at isolated places in the Union Territory, it added.

Strong onshore wind from westerly direction with speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 kmph was likely off over Kerala coast and Lakshadweep during the next 24 h ours, the office added.