Among the rolling hills of Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar is home to many tea estates and misty mountains topped with punctuated culture whenever they resound with the rites of many concentrated festivals. For the culture enthusiast or just someone who loves getting really into the locals, a visit to a festival in Munnar may well clinch the whole trip. This blog attempts to filter the festivals in Munnar which you really should not miss.
Onam: The Harvest Festival of Kerala and Harmony
When: August-September
Where: Across Munnar and Kerala
Onam is Kerala’s biggest festival, and Munnar celebrates this festival with zest. The air is filled with the sweetness of fresh flowers off Pookalam (floral carpets); natives don the traditional attire. One could see Pulikali (the tiger dance), dance performances of Thiruvathira, and have a chance to experience the traditional Onasadya feasts-one vegetarian meal out of 26 served on banana leaves-with a local people.
Thrissur Pooram: The Grandest Temple Festival of Kerala
When: April- May
Celebration might be by most part done in Thrissur, but people from Munnar speak the spirit of it by enjoying their cultural performances as well as temple ritual in live telecasts. The festival is famous for the caparisoned elephants, its firework displays, and the presence of classical music ensembles.
Munnar Winter Carnival
When: December to January
Organized and coordinated by the Kerala Tourism Department to pool people from afar and provide a local feel to tourists, the Munnar Winter Carnival will be celebrated in art, music, and food scenes. Definitely, you will witness a cultural procession, food fest, dance show, and handicraft exhibits. It is the kind of carnival that combines Munnar’s cool atmosphere with really warm traditional hospitality.
Vishu: the New Year in Kerala
When: Month of April
It is when a new year starts according to the Malayalam calendar. In Munnar, families prepare Vishukkani – rice, fruits, some flowers, coins, and holy texts prepared in a manner that brings prosperity -. It is time for firecrackers, traditional games, and Sadhya meals.
Chithirapuram Temple Festival
When: Based on temple calendar.
Chithirapuram is a calm village close to Munnar, full of a starry temple festival comprising elephant processions, music, and dance. The peaceful village suddenly morphs into an eclectic cultural hub, such a much more intimate, less touristy experience.
Why You Should Attend Festivals in Munnar
An authentic local experience beyond the reach of tourist brochures.
Traditional Kerala cuisine, which you may not find in restaurants
Arts and crafts fairs featuring an enrichment of the heritage of the region.
Amazing photo opportunities of vibrant costumes and rituals.
Deeper into the land with spiritual insights and cultural understandings.
Attending a cultural festival in Munnar will not be about just witnessing a celebration; it will be feeling the heartbeat of Kerala. Be it a walk down a decorated street, watching a Kathakali performance, or sharing a sadhya meal with locals, these will be moments that never leave memory.
So while planning the next trip to Munnar, check the festival calendar, ensure you time your visit perfectly with some of these lovely cultural gems. Trust us, Munnar at the festival is a whole other level of magic.