Introduction
August in Kerala is a month steeped in festivals that celebrate Kerala’s heritage, religion, and communal harmony. As the monsoon rains continue to bless the land, Keralites come together for unique festivities that honor deities, ancestors, and nature. The festivals this month are marked by a blend of ritualistic worship, processions, art, and cultural events that highlight Kerala’s devotion to its traditions and spiritual roots. Here, we explore the major festivals celebrated in Kerala in August 2025, focusing on their unique significance, traditional customs, and community engagement.
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1. Onam
Date: Begins on August 20, 2025 (10-day festival ending on Thiruvonam)
Overview
Onam is Kerala’s most prominent festival, celebrated across the state by people of all religions. It marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali and is seen as a harvest festival that signifies abundance, unity, and joy. Known for its cultural grandeur, Onam is celebrated with diverse activities such as the pookalam (flower arrangement), traditional dances, and the grand feast called Onasadya.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Athachamayam: The festivities kick off with the Athachamayam procession, a grand event featuring decorated elephants, traditional folk art performances, and floats.
- Pookalam (Floral Rangoli): Throughout the 10 days, families create beautiful pookalams at the entrance of their homes, symbolizing a warm welcome for King Mahabali.
- Onasadya Feast: On Thiruvonam, the grand feast called Onasadya is prepared with up to 26 different dishes, served on banana leaves. It includes delicacies like sambar, avial, payasam, and more.
- Vallamkali (Boat Race): The iconic snake boat races, or Vallamkali, take place on the Pampa River, where teams of rowers compete, showcasing Kerala’s spirit of teamwork and resilience.
Onam is a vibrant celebration of Kerala’s unity, prosperity, and cultural richness, with each ritual and tradition representing values like harmony, respect, and gratitude.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Onam celebrates the timeless message of unity and the joy of abundance, a reflection of Kerala’s resilient spirit.”
2. Chingam 1 (Malayalam New Year)
Date: August 17, 2025
Overview
The Malayalam New Year, celebrated as Chingam 1, marks the beginning of the harvest season and the start of the Malayalam calendar year. It’s a time when families pray for prosperity, health, and happiness in the coming year. Chingam 1 is marked by prayers, offerings, and gatherings, and it leads into the preparations for Onam.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Temple Visits: Many people start the day by visiting temples to seek blessings for the year ahead. They offer prayers, light lamps, and conduct special pujas.
- Offering of New Clothes: Traditionally, families buy new clothes and gifts for one another to mark the beginning of a prosperous year.
- Decorative Pookalams: Many homes are decorated with pookalams (floral patterns) that represent hope and joy. This decoration continues throughout the Onam season, adding to the festive spirit.
Chingam 1 serves as a beautiful beginning to the festival season in Kerala, symbolizing renewal and hope.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Chingam 1 is a celebration of new beginnings, setting the stage for prosperity and joy in the coming year.”
3. Attukal Pongala
Date: August 8, 2025
Overview
Attukal Pongala is a unique festival celebrated mainly by women in Kerala to honor the Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Known for its large gathering of women devotees, the festival involves preparing an offering called pongala, which is cooked in earthen pots.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Pongala Offering: Women devotees prepare pongala, a sweet rice dish, in temporary hearths set up in the temple courtyard and streets. This offering is believed to bring prosperity and blessings.
- Chanting and Singing: The ritual is accompanied by devotional songs and chants, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.
- Blessings from Priests: After preparing pongala, women offer their pots at the temple, where priests bless the offerings. This act is seen as an expression of devotion and faith.
Attukal Pongala showcases the devotion of women and their unity in worship, underscoring the strength of Kerala’s cultural heritage.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Attukal Pongala reflects the power of collective devotion and the sacred bond shared by women in honoring the divine feminine.”
4. Karkidaka Kanji Ritual
Date: Observed throughout August
Overview
During the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, also known as the monsoon month, it is customary to consume Karkidaka Kanji, a medicinal rice porridge made with Ayurvedic herbs. This tradition is believed to fortify the immune system and is observed as a ritual to promote health and well-being.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Preparation of Karkidaka Kanji: Families prepare this special kanji with ingredients such as njavara rice, Ayurvedic herbs, and spices like turmeric, ginger, and cumin. It’s a preventive health measure.
- Ayurvedic Treatments: Many people in Kerala undergo Ayurvedic therapies during this time, as it’s believed that the monsoon enhances the effectiveness of treatments.
- Community Health Programs: Various temples and local organizations distribute Karkidaka Kanji to promote health and well-being in the community.
Karkidaka Kanji is a unique cultural tradition that blends spirituality with holistic health, symbolizing Kerala’s respect for nature and ancient wisdom.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Karkidaka Kanji is a simple yet profound way to honor health and holistic healing during the monsoon season.”
5. Thiruvonam at Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Continued)
Date: August 30, 2025
Overview
Thiruvonam, the most sacred day of the Onam festival, is celebrated in a grand manner at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. On this day, the temple attracts thousands of devotees who gather to witness the divine rituals and special events associated with the occasion. The temple’s grandeur and the atmosphere of devotion elevate Thiruvonam celebrations, making it a focal point of Kerala’s religious life.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Abhishekam and Special Pujas: Thiruvonam at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is marked by a series of elaborate rituals, including the Abhishekam (ritualistic bath) of the idol of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that participating in these sacred rites can bring blessings and divine favor. The temple also conducts special pujas, offering prayers for prosperity, health, and happiness.
- Procession with Deities: On Thiruvonam, a grand procession takes place where the idol of Lord Vishnu is taken out in a ceremonial procession, accompanied by elephants, traditional music, and devotees chanting hymns. This event is a visual spectacle that signifies the divine presence of Lord Vishnu among the people.
- Sadhya and Feast: The festival at the temple culminates with a grand feast or sadhya, which is offered to devotees as a symbol of divine blessings. The sadhya includes a range of traditional Kerala dishes, emphasizing the spirit of sharing and community during Onam.
Thiruvonam at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is not just a religious observance but also a celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, drawing visitors from all parts of the world.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Thiruvonam at Padmanabhaswamy Temple embodies the spirit of devotion, community, and divine grace, a true reflection of Kerala’s cultural soul.”
6. Varada Festival
Date: August 15-16, 2025
Overview
The Varada Festival is a significant celebration in the temples of Kerala, especially in the central and northern regions. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is marked by grand rituals, processions, and feasts. The festival takes place during the auspicious days of Chingam, around the same time as Onam. The Varada Festival is a smaller but equally important celebration in the temple calendars of Kerala.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Ganesh Pujas: Devotees gather in temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha to conduct special pujas. The rituals are focused on seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles.
- Processions and Decorations: Many temples celebrate this festival with processions in which Lord Ganesha’s idol is carried in a decorated chariot. The streets and temples are beautifully illuminated, with colorful flowers and light displays.
- Feasts and Offerings: Much like the Onam sadhya, the Varada Festival also involves offering a grand feast to the deity and to the devotees. The dishes typically include Kerala’s traditional offerings like payasam (sweet pudding), avial, and various types of rice preparations.
The Varada Festival is a symbol of devotion to Lord Ganesha and is celebrated with much enthusiasm in the temples of Kerala. It reflects the deep spiritual connection of Keralites with their deities.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“The Varada Festival is a time to celebrate the wisdom and blessings of Lord Ganesha, showcasing Kerala’s deep devotion to its deities.”
7. Makam Thozhal
Date: August 12, 2025
Overview
Makam Thozhal is a traditional festival celebrated in temples in the Travancore region of Kerala. The festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it takes place on the Makam star day of the Malayalam calendar, which falls in the month of Chingam (August). It is a festival steeped in spiritual significance and is marked by temple processions, special prayers, and offerings.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Temple Rituals: Devotees participate in prayers and worship at the temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The rituals are designed to invoke divine blessings and to purify the mind and body of devotees.
- Special Pujas: The highlight of the day is the special puja, which is offered to Lord Vishnu, often involving elaborate rituals such as the lighting of lamps, offering flowers, and reciting hymns.
- Processions and Cultural Events: In many temples, the Makam Thozhal festival is marked by processions featuring elephants and traditional dance performances, including Thayambaka and Kathakali. These cultural performances are a unique feature of the festival and draw crowds from all around.
Makam Thozhal is an event that allows people to come together and engage in communal prayers, strengthening their bonds with the divine and with each other.
Quotes and Cultural Notes
“Makam Thozhal is a day of divine devotion, where the spirit of prayer and community come together in celebration.”
8. Conclusion: Kerala’s Festivals – A Spiritual Tapestry
The festivals celebrated in Kerala in August 2025 showcase a blend of spirituality, tradition, and culture. From the grand celebration of Onam to the unique rituals of Attukal Pongala and the intimate devotion of Thiruvonam, these festivals embody the essence of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Each festival is a testimony to the diverse spiritual practices that coexist harmoniously in the state, where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate life, nature, and the divine.
In Kerala, festivals are not just times for rituals and ceremonies, but also occasions for building and reinforcing social ties, expressing gratitude, and invoking blessings for prosperity. They represent the true spirit of Kerala, where traditions are cherished and passed down through generations, ensuring that the state remains an eternal hub of culture, spirituality, and togetherness.
