Parumala Perunnal To Be Celebrated In Kerala

The Parumala Perunnal festival is a highly significant celebration in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its cultural fabric that brings people of all communities and religions together to observe special days. Kerala is renowned for its rich tradition of celebrations.

• Every year, on November 2nd, the festival of Parumala Perunnal is celebrated in Kerala.

History of Parumala Perunnal

• It is believed that the great saint Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios once traveled to Parumala, a small village by the banks of the Pampa River in Kerala. He was born in Kunnamkulam and was highly respected for his wisdom and charisma. 
• In order to contribute to the good of the people,Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios planned on building a seminary in the region. 
• He was granted two acres of land by Arikupurathu Mathen Karnavar, and a building called Azhippura was constructed in the area for housing Syriac language instruction. 
• In 1902, Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios passed away at the age of 54, and his death anniversary is now commemorated as Parumala Perunnal.
• Unlike other festivals celebrated in the state, Parumala Perunnal focuses solely on devotion, not on the cultural aspect of it. People from all communities and religions visit the town during this time to observe the day together. This also serves as a way of contributing to the social fabric of the state, denoting peace and unity.

Some popular festivals in Kerala include Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Thiruvathira, Vishu, Theyyam Festival, Attukal Pongala, Christmas, Makaravilakku Festival, Arattu at Trivandrum, Aranmula Uthrattathi, Ambalapuzha Arattu and Adoor Gajamela.

Onam

• Onam is a harvest festival celebrated mainly by Malayalees around the world . The celebrations spread over 10 days mark the Malayalam New Year and conclude with Thiruvonam.  Thiruvonam is considered to be the most auspicious day of the Onam festival. It is believed that on this day , King Mahabali son of Verochana and grandson of Prahlad returns from  the patal lok to visit Kerala. 

• The festival is held in the Chingam month of the Malayalam calendar,which falls between August-September month of the Gregorian calendar.

Vishu 

• It is the second most important festival of Kerala after Onam.It comes on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (April), which is also the Spring Equinox. During the Spring equinox the sun is on the equator and the duration of day and night are equal . Though scientifically speaking  the spring equinox falls on 20 or 21 March of a year .
• Apart from Kerala, the festival is celebrated in the neighboring regions like Mangalore, Tulunadu and Udupi. 
• Vishu is also called the festival of fireworks and light as the celebration includes bursting of firecrackers. It is said that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on the day of Vishu.

Thrissur Pooram

• Thrissur Pooram is  held at Vadakkumnathan temple dedicated to Lord Shiva , located in Thrissur. The festival is held in the Malayalam month of Medam (usually in April). It is one of the biggest temple festivals in Kerala .  Pooram means an annual festival celebrated on the day when the moon is seen with a star called Pooram.