Cherai Festival photos

Festivals in Cherai

Kerala is a land of colourful festivals, which have a long history and tradition behind them. Kerala's innumerable festivals however stand out because of their uniqueness. Cherai, A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby makes this place even more beautiful. The main attraction of Cherai is the 'Poyil' a large inland lake forming a part of the calm serene backwaters separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar.

The main festivals in Cherai begin on the month end of November.

1. Cherai Temple  Festival
2. Cherai Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav )
3. Pallipuram Church Festival
4. Cherai beach tourism Festival

Cherai Temple  Festival : Cherai Gowreeswara temple is Important pilgrimage centre in Kerala also known as South Pazhani, built in 1912. Gowreeswara temple is dedicated to Lord Muruka. The idle was installed by Sree Narayana Guru. To see Cherai at her best come with the festival. The trumpeting of more than 30 elephants and the magical sound of "Panchavaadya" and the spectacular view of celebratory fireworks. In a magnificent display of grandeur, 30 caparisoned elephants come together here during this temple festival .The Thalapokkamalsaram (head lifting ) competition is the main attraction of this festival.Kadakali,ottanthullal and other art forms are performed on the festival days eve.

Cherai Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav ) : The exquisite temple was constructed in A.D1869. Azheekkal Sree Varaha Venkateswara Temple is the only "Sampoornakshetra" in South India. This is the only temple in India where both the deities of Sree Varaha and Sree Venkateswara are installed side by side and worshiped as single moorthy (God).The famous temple "Ratha" (Chariot) is a rarity in temple architecture. This is the only chariot in the world, which runs on the rail. The festival takes place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple to the accompaniment of drum beatsThe Varaha temple was established in the sixteenth century and it is one of the most ancient GSB temples in Kerala. It has a roofed pathway around the temple with granite pillars, which is something I haven’t seen in any other GSB temple in Kerala.

There are several ancient and beautiful carvings on the wooden roofs of the mandapam in front of the temple. The gaari (a kind of vada) nivedya at the temple is very famous and delicious too .The famous temple "Ratha" (Chariot) is a rarity in temple architecture. This is the only chariot in the world, which runs on the rail. The festival takes place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple with huge drum beats.

Pallipuram Church Festival: Cherai cultural life would be incomplete without the festival at Pallipuram church, which takes place for 15 days. It is on the month of August.It is a wonderful mix of town and village; a combination of city fashion and age-old traditions reminiscent of English country fairs. The real passion of the festival becomes apparent on the final day when exhibitors sell their faded wares and like all time-honoured institutions, evokes emotions, with everyone taking home cherished memories of the day.

Cherai beach tourism Festival:The Cherai beach mela, the first beach carnival in Kerala held to promote beach tourism and to cash in on the tourism potential of the State's seashore, is being organised by the Pallipuram grama panchayat of the Vypeen island.This year's mela presents an exciting variety of programmes on all the seven days.On the opening day, there is an extensive Chenda melam by about 50 artistes.