Vibrant and joyful festival of Onam is known by two different names in the state of Kerala – Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam and Sravanmahotsav or Sravanotsavam; These are the names of the tenth day of Onam festivities.

Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala and is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is believed to be the National festival of Kerala. The word Onam is believed to have been originated from the Sanskrit word Shravanam which in Sanskrit refers to one of the 27 Nakshatars or constellations.

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by Malayalees regardless of religion, caste or creed. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Kathakali

Don’t leave Kerala without trying…

• Appam with stew.
• Karimeen pollichathu (fish)
• Malabar Parotta with Kerala beef curry.
• Erissery or pumpkin and lentil curry.
• Palada payasam (dessert)
• Kerala prawn curry (chemmeen curry)
• Thalassery biriyani.
• Fish moilee.

Kerala is well-known for its mesmerizing backwaters, ecotourism initiatives, scenic beauty, amazing beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine.

Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Thullal it includes in dances of kerala. Besides these, Theyyam, Koothu, Krishnanattom and Koottiyattam are also practiced in Kerala.

Kathakali. Kathakali is one of the most popular dance forms not only in Kerala but also in India.

In Kerala, the lungi, also called Kaili or Kalli Mundu, is worn by both men and women. Labourers prefer to wear lungis while working. Most men in Kerala use lungi as casual wear or as a house dress, as it is quite comfortable to wear.

Malayalam

The culture of Kerala evolved through the Sanskritization of Dravidian ethos, revivalism of religious movements and reform movements against caste discrimination. Kerala showcases a culture unique to itself developed through accommodation, acculturation and assimilation of various faculties of civilized lifestyle.

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja – known as the Lion of Kerala; a prince from the royal dynasty of Pazhassi Kottayam. He was the only person to defeat Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington in a war.

Kerala’s climate is mainly wet and maritime tropical, heavily influenced by the seasonal heavy rains brought up by the monsoon.

“God’s own country” Kerala is blessed with a climate of moderate temperatures. During the Indian summer when other states experience temperatures in excess or close to 40 degrees, weather in Kerala remains comparatively cool and pleasant. The plains and the coastal areas have warm weather.

India, annual weather averages March is the hottest month in Kerala with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F) and the coldest is June at 27°C (81°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in February. The wettest month is June with an average of 341mm of rain.

Scientists blame climate change for this. Rise in sea surface temperature, due to global warming, drove up humidity. This, in turn, pushed temperatures higher, according to Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with a central government science institute in the state.