Fast Facts :

Celebrated in : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Centre of activity : Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple

Duration : 10 days

Specialty : The Head of Travancore Royal Family Escorts the Procession of Idols.

The rituals which are the most important in the festivals of Kerala are the Pallivetta which is the Royal Hunt and the Aarattu which is the Holy Bath. As the Temples in Kerala are the centres of all the fairs and festivals in Kerala each and every festival is related to the temples in Kerala, this too showcases the rich Culture of Kerala in different ways. The Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple in Kerala has the relevance of the Aarattu Festival in Thiruvananthapuram.

This festival is a ritual more important than a festival which the people follow. This temple has a religious site during the festival with splendour and sophistication, so this Aarattu gains greater enormity at Thiruvananthapuram. The unique feature of this festival is that the head of the royal family comes along the procession where the idols of the temple are taken for a holy bath; these idols are taken to the Shankumugham Beach where the holy bath is given. The festival begins with a flag hosting ceremony and a sweet dish is always offered to the Lord.

Celebrated twice a year the Aarattu Festival, is celebrated in the months of October-November and then again in the month of March-April both the times the festival lasts for 10 days. You should not take a chance to miss this festival .