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Konganpada is a grand festival of historical significance celebrated in the Bhagavathy temple at Chittur, ten kilometer from Palakad town. A unique festival, it is held every year on the first Monday after the dark lunar night in Kumbhom (February-March), to commemorate the victory of the Nairs of Chittur over the militia of Konganadu (Coimbatore) led by the Chola King Rajadhi Raja. Goddess Bhagavathy is believed to have saved them from the attack of the Chola King.

The festival starts with 'Chilambu' on Sivarathri in Kumbhom which reminds Kongan's (chola king's) declaration of war and the frightened people worshipping Bhagavathy and beseeching her help. On the second day a flag is hoisted to indicate their preparedness for war. In the evening, they set out for war. This is called 'Arippathattu". All the people assemble at the temple. After three popgun shots, the procession starts. Clad in silk, wearing gold ornaments and trinkets and with a shining sword in hand, the Velichappadu (oracle) goes in front while the people, full of exultation follow him with torches held aloft. At midnight the procession returns to the temple with elephants and chariots.

Next day is the day of Konganpada. On this day, even the penniless will hold a grand feast. In the morning, pop-guns will be fired 101 rounds. Of the festivities during the day, Kolam procession is very important. Children are made to wear 'kolam' in response to certain vows made by their parents to Bhagavathy.

The procession starts from Vettakkorumkan Kavu. There are various entertainments like Ezhovela, Thattinmel Koothu, Sinki Nadakom etc. The Kolam procession will reach the temple by dusk. This is followed by the holding of a function called Olavayana, when the messenger of Kongan reads the declaration of war. About 10 O'clock Kongan makes his appearance. The people will also start with torches in their hands making much din and bustle as in a war.

At Poovathunkavu a mock fight will be held by driving the horses hither and thither. This is followed by Pothottam in which some people rush forward with the head of a buffalo reminding one of the head of the dead buffaloes of the Chola king. The festival ends with the function called Pallu.

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 is derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday.

The content of Easter was gradually analysed 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 - 

Services are held in the afternoon. In most churches one finds a bitter drink prepared from leaves, vinegar, etc. for everyone to taste after the service, Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reigns in the church from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the church is full, to observe the Easter Vigil. In the gloom, which envelops the church, new fire is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle is then consecrated and from it is lighted many candles indicating the resurrection. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the hall. Halleluyah is the joyous word of Easter wish. Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebration is rather spiritual and inward rather than social showy. There will be a grand dinner at homes and visits of relatives.

To trace the origin of the Forane Church at Edappally, we have to go back as early as 593 AD. It is one of the most ancient and prominent churches that existed in the early centuries. Many Miracles are believed to have worked through the intercession of St. George. From very ancient times, people from far and near have flocked to this place with sentiments of genuine gratitude for the favours received.

Every year 'Forty hour devotion' marks the commencement of the festival. The festival begins on the 23rd of April with solemn High Mass and Litany. On the 25th the flag is hoisted solemnly and ceremoniously. On May day the entire church is transformed into a blaze of colour, light and sound. The church and precincts are decorated and illuminated. The members of the St. George fraternity gather in large numbers wearing their colourful costumes, taking their fashion from the misty middle ages. Music and fireworks on one side and the expectant hum of devotees in there thousands on the other reverberate in the solemn atmosphere. The miraculous statue of St. George is taken out of its usual podium on the side altar and is decked for the occasion. It is placed on the festive chariot and is taken out in procession to be kept inside the church for special veneration during the days of the festival. The procession starting in the hushed silence, characteristic of the most solemn catholic religious function, blossoms into a veritable tornado of sound and colour.

The principal ceremonies are performed on 4th May. At about 10 AM High Mass is said, which is followed by an eloquent sermon preached by an eminent priest. The grand celebrations come to a close with the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This festival is one of the most popular in Kerala.

One of the famous temples in India, Guruvayoor is situated in an out-of-the way village in Chavkkad taluk, though it draws a vast concourse of pilgrims from every part of the country. Devotees are thronging to this temple not to see and appreciate the variety of its structural patterns or to revel in the festivals celebrated there, but only to feel the air of benediction that pervades this famous shrine of Guruvayoorappan and to invoke his blessings. Though the structure of the temple is comparatively small, its fame is fabulously widespread. The main idol of this temple is that of Lord Vishnu. The idol, made of a rare stone 'Patala Anjanam' which is supposed to have great healing qualities, especially for rheumatism, with a Shank (conch), Chakra (wheel) Gada(mace), Pankajam(lotus) in its four arms and radiant smile on its lips, looks bewitchingly beautiful. Entering the portals of the temple, one is overwhelmed by the prevailing atmosphere of piety and devotion.

Just behind the entrance to the temple is the Anakkottil (camp of elephants) and behind it, the golden flag staff. Adjacent to this is the 'Koothambalam'. Taking a round of the temple proper, one reaches the front of the Krishnattasala, a small structure wide open on all sides. It was here that Krishnattom used to be staged. The Mandapam just in front of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is resplendent with beautiful carvings. The paintings around the Sreekovil depicting stories of the childish pranks of Sree Krishna stand out as works of everlasting beauty of the ancient art.

St. Mary's Church at Manarcaud is one of the outstanding churches of the Syrian Jacobite Church of Malabar. The most important festival here is the eight-day fast in honour of St. Mary, which starts on September 1. During all these days people belonging to all communities assemble here to make offering and for fasting. Mass is said for the pilgrims on all days of the feast. On the 7th and 8th days, colourful processions are taken out. Umbrellas of a peculiar kind made of coloured cloth are used in the procession. There will also be a special offering of rice, boiled in coconut milk. A fair is organized during the festive days.

The church and Dayara at Manjinikkara derives its importance from the holy tomb there. The sacred body of the late Ignatius Elias III, the holy patriarch of Antioch and the entire east was interned there. Members of the Jacobite Syrian Church believe that the Holy Father was a Saint. The Church has now become one of the foremost places of pilgrimage. A large number of pilgrims visit the church to receive spiritual and physical healing and blessings.

In olden times every Hindu family in Kerala had a serpent-grove. Mannarasala, situated to the north-west of Sri. Subramanyaswamy temple, Haripad, is the seat of the famous temple of Nagaraja (God of serpents), the largest of its kind in Kerala. Built in a grove, the temple is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods.

On the day of Ayilliam asterism in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to the Illam (family connected with the temple) where the offerings of Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk), Kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime) and cooked rice are made. The oldest female member of the family carries the idol of the Nagaraja and the procession is conducted with great pomp and rejoicing. During the festival days, thousands of people assemble at Mannarasala to worship and please the serpent gods. The offerings include coins and effigies made of gold, silver and copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons, sandalwood etc.

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