Most Famous Festivals of Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, the jewel in the tourism destinations of India, also offers an endless array of festivals throughout the year. Chances are that any time you visit the beach destination there will be some type of festival to enjoy. Kanyakumari is also considered as a holy place in Hindu mythology. Besides, Christianity has flourished in the region for centuries and has deep roots in the form of a large community. So you can find both Hindu and Christian fairs and festivals during most part of the year. The following guide lists the most beautiful and must-visit events of Kanyakumari, which could mean bringing back great memories from your visit.
Cape Comorin Festival
The Cape Comorin Festival is probably the most popular of all the festivals in Kanyakumari, but there are others like Chaitra Purnima and Navaratri which are also big events that draw thousands of locals, tourists and devotees. Cape Comorin Festival is named after the earlier name of Kanyakumari. The 3-day festival is celebrated during October. It is a grand event and several cultural programmes are part of the festivities. There is lots of colour and you will never find any shortage of attractive programmes.
Navaratri
Navaratri is a 9-day festival devoted to the 9 Hindu goddesses. It is held during September-October and the dates vary every year based on the Hindu calendar. It is also celebrated with lots of fanfare, colours and lights. It is a grand festival in this beach district that kicks-off in at the Padmanabhapuram Temple and begins with the worship of Goddess Sarasvathy. The history of celebrations goes back to the King of Travancore who used to celebrate Navaratri during the first 10 days of the Kanni month. The idol of the goddess is carried on the back of a famous tusker.
Chaitra Purnima Festival
Chaitra Purnima is another major event in Kanyakumari, held during May. This is the time of the year when you can witness both the moonrise and sunset at the same moment. A number of cultural programmes take place during the festival. Vaisakha Festival is celebrated during May-June. The celebrations include the procession of the goddess' idol around Kanyakumari. A 10-day fair and festival involves a lot of other attractions. The idol is carried on top of mounts.
Kalabham Festival
Also referred to as the Sandal Festival, the Kalabham festival of Kanyakumari is held in the months of July-August. During the event the devotees cover the image of the God in sandal paste. The image is then covered in flowers during the last Friday of the month.
Feast of Our Lady
As already mentioned, Kanyakumari isn't just about the Hindu festivals. The Feast of Our Lady is celebrated by the local Christian community and is attended by people from almost all the communities. It is a 10-day festival that starts in December. The event starts with the flag hoisting and follows with daily mass and benediction. During the evenings, special prayers are held.
The end of the festival is even more interesting when the processions take place on a pair of golden cars. There is a lot of passion around this festival. It is known for its pomp and glory and is awaited every year by the locals.
Holy is another famous Christian festival of Kanyakumari. It is held during December and is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church and the associated community.
Car Festival
The Car Festival may sound odd, but it is another famous occasion of Kanyakumari. Thousands throng to the Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple where this event is held every year in the month of May or June. It is also known as Vaikasi Festival. The 10-day event starts with the hoisting of the flag. The car is pulled by the devotees on 4 car streets.
The event is also marked by a temple float festival. A series of pujas (prayers) are performed before the idol of Ambal is mounted onto a car. The car in itself is a big attraction as it is decorated elegantly. During the festival, the entire region comes to a standstill. Especially the areas around the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial receive a huge influx of devotees and visitors. In keeping with the huge flow of crowds, the ferry service in the area is suspended for a few hours in the morning.
Skanda Shasti
This is another sacred Hindu festival held in the month of October-November. This 6-day festival is held in the temple of Lord Murgan. The most important day of the event is on the 6th day when the ritual of Soorasamharam takes place. The devotees coming to the event will tie kappu and will remain within or around the temple during the entire 6 days.
Other Festivals of Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari represents the different religions and cultures of India. Besides these major festivals of the beach destinations, there are dozens of other festivals which are celebrated in all the regions of the district. Temples, churches and mosques, all the holy places here celebrate their fairs and events every year.
Ratholsav Fest or Chariot Fest – It is held at Suchindram in January. It draws massive crowds comprising of the locals, people from Tamil Nadu, India and from overseas.
Kodai Festival – The Kodai festival is held in March in Kalkulam. The Mondaicadu Temple receives a massive gathering during the utsav.
Thirukalya Utsavam – This is another festival held in the Kalkulam Taluk. It takes place in the Kumaracoil Temple in March-April.
St. Xavier's Church – The church in Kottar celebrates an annual festival in December. It is another grand fair and festival that draws Roman Catholics from all across South India.
So if you are planning to visit Kanyakumari, make sure to plan your vacation close to these festivals to experience the beachresort in an entirely different way.
Cape Comorin Festival
The Cape Comorin Festival is probably the most popular of all the festivals in Kanyakumari, but there are others like Chaitra Purnima and Navaratri which are also big events that draw thousands of locals, tourists and devotees. Cape Comorin Festival is named after the earlier name of Kanyakumari. The 3-day festival is celebrated during October. It is a grand event and several cultural programmes are part of the festivities. There is lots of colour and you will never find any shortage of attractive programmes.
Navaratri
Navaratri is a 9-day festival devoted to the 9 Hindu goddesses. It is held during September-October and the dates vary every year based on the Hindu calendar. It is also celebrated with lots of fanfare, colours and lights. It is a grand festival in this beach district that kicks-off in at the Padmanabhapuram Temple and begins with the worship of Goddess Sarasvathy. The history of celebrations goes back to the King of Travancore who used to celebrate Navaratri during the first 10 days of the Kanni month. The idol of the goddess is carried on the back of a famous tusker.
Chaitra Purnima Festival
Chaitra Purnima is another major event in Kanyakumari, held during May. This is the time of the year when you can witness both the moonrise and sunset at the same moment. A number of cultural programmes take place during the festival. Vaisakha Festival is celebrated during May-June. The celebrations include the procession of the goddess' idol around Kanyakumari. A 10-day fair and festival involves a lot of other attractions. The idol is carried on top of mounts.
Kalabham Festival
Also referred to as the Sandal Festival, the Kalabham festival of Kanyakumari is held in the months of July-August. During the event the devotees cover the image of the God in sandal paste. The image is then covered in flowers during the last Friday of the month.
Feast of Our Lady
As already mentioned, Kanyakumari isn't just about the Hindu festivals. The Feast of Our Lady is celebrated by the local Christian community and is attended by people from almost all the communities. It is a 10-day festival that starts in December. The event starts with the flag hoisting and follows with daily mass and benediction. During the evenings, special prayers are held.
The end of the festival is even more interesting when the processions take place on a pair of golden cars. There is a lot of passion around this festival. It is known for its pomp and glory and is awaited every year by the locals.
Holy is another famous Christian festival of Kanyakumari. It is held during December and is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church and the associated community.
Car Festival
The Car Festival may sound odd, but it is another famous occasion of Kanyakumari. Thousands throng to the Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple where this event is held every year in the month of May or June. It is also known as Vaikasi Festival. The 10-day event starts with the hoisting of the flag. The car is pulled by the devotees on 4 car streets.
The event is also marked by a temple float festival. A series of pujas (prayers) are performed before the idol of Ambal is mounted onto a car. The car in itself is a big attraction as it is decorated elegantly. During the festival, the entire region comes to a standstill. Especially the areas around the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial receive a huge influx of devotees and visitors. In keeping with the huge flow of crowds, the ferry service in the area is suspended for a few hours in the morning.
Skanda Shasti
This is another sacred Hindu festival held in the month of October-November. This 6-day festival is held in the temple of Lord Murgan. The most important day of the event is on the 6th day when the ritual of Soorasamharam takes place. The devotees coming to the event will tie kappu and will remain within or around the temple during the entire 6 days.
Other Festivals of Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari represents the different religions and cultures of India. Besides these major festivals of the beach destinations, there are dozens of other festivals which are celebrated in all the regions of the district. Temples, churches and mosques, all the holy places here celebrate their fairs and events every year.
Ratholsav Fest or Chariot Fest – It is held at Suchindram in January. It draws massive crowds comprising of the locals, people from Tamil Nadu, India and from overseas.
Kodai Festival – The Kodai festival is held in March in Kalkulam. The Mondaicadu Temple receives a massive gathering during the utsav.
Thirukalya Utsavam – This is another festival held in the Kalkulam Taluk. It takes place in the Kumaracoil Temple in March-April.
St. Xavier's Church – The church in Kottar celebrates an annual festival in December. It is another grand fair and festival that draws Roman Catholics from all across South India.
So if you are planning to visit Kanyakumari, make sure to plan your vacation close to these festivals to experience the beachresort in an entirely different way.