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Upcoming Events & Festivals in Malappuram

Upcoming Events & Festivals in Malappuram

Malappuram is a culturally rich region and home to some of Kerala's most popular festivals. While many people visit Malappuram for its beaches and natural beauty, others come for the region's rich cultural heritage. This guide will help you plan your trip around these events so that you can experience all of them!

Malappuram Nercha

The Malappuram Nercha is a grand celebration of the region's rich cultural heritage. It takes place in the month of February every year, and is one of the most important festivals in Kerala. The event commemorates the victory over invading armies led by Raja Ravi Varma, who tried to overthrow Zamorin (the king) when he was staying at Neyyattinkara.

The festival starts with a procession from Kottakkal to Nellippuzha Lake where it culminates on a boat ride across this scenic lake with hundreds of participants paddling through its waters on boats decorated with traditional nath headgear made from glass beads or metal studs that represent warriors fighting for their freedom against foreign forces trying to conquer them!

Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram

Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram is a popular temple festival that is celebrated in April or May. The festival marks the return of Lord Shiva after his pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, and is marked by colourful processions, traditional music and stunning fireworks.

The main attraction at this event is the parade through town with elephants pulling decorated chariots that are drawn by horses or bulls.

Kottakkal Pooram

Kottakkal Pooram: Another major temple festival in Malappuram, Kottakkal Pooram features traditional percussion performances and spectacular elephant processions. The festival commemorates the birth of Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva.

The three-day event begins with a parade of elephants through the town on the last day of Navaratri (the Hindu festival that marks the conclusion of Navratri). During this time, pilgrims can visit temples to worship their deities as well as participate in traditional music and dance performances.

Puthenpalli Nercha

Puthenpalli Nercha: This religious festival is held in honour of a local saint, and features a variety of cultural events, including traditional dance and music performances.

The event is held between November 20th to 25th every year at Udumbanikkavu Temple complex located in Puthenpalli Village near Moothamangalam village on the south side of Panmana River. It is believed that this temple was built by an ancestor named Muthuvarma in honour of his wife Panmana Devi who died during childbirth. The main deity here is Lord Vishnu whose consort Goddess Lakshmi resides inside it along with other deities like Sridevi (wife), Parvati (wife) Saraswathi(mother), Bhudevi(grandmother), Skanda (son), Ganapathi(father).

Malappuram Food Fest

The Malappuram Food Fest is a recent addition to the region's cultural calendar, showcasing the diverse and delicious cuisine of Malappuram.

The festival boasts of over 3,000 stalls and restaurants from across Kerala, offering every kind of food imaginable—from traditional Kerala dishes like idli-sambar or avial (spicy fish curry) to international cuisines such as Chinese or Italian. It also offers a wide variety of entertainment options such as dance performances by local artists on stage at various venues throughout the city.

Kondotty Nercha

Kondotty Nercha: Held in memory of a revered Sufi saint, this annual festival is marked by colourful parades, traditional music performances, and vibrant bazaars.

The festival begins with Paryushanam (Eighth Day of the Krishna Paksha), when devotees pay homage to the saint through religious services. The next day is called Navaratri (Nine Nights), when women wear new clothes and visit temples to pray for good luck. On the tenth day after Navaratri concludes on Amavasya (No Moon Day), pilgrims visit local shrines dedicated to their favorite deity or saints who have passed away during these celebrations—and they come back again on Chaturthi (four days after).

Cherukolpuzha Hindu-Muslim Mela

Cherukolpuzha Hindu-Muslim Mela: This unique festival celebrates the harmony and coexistence of Hindu and Muslim communities in Malappuram, and features cultural events, religious processions, and lively bazaars. The festival falls on November 2nd each year.

This event was started by a group of Muslim youth who wanted to bring together their community with others who shared similar beliefs like them. They organized this event in order to promote unity between Hindus and Muslims in Kerala state by organizing cultural programs that would bring people together from different backgrounds under one roof for five days (November 1st - 5th).

Arattupuzha Pooram

Arattupuzha Pooram: While technically located just outside Malappuram, this grand temple festival is one of the biggest events in the region, drawing thousands of visitors from across the state.

While you'd be forgiven for thinking that this event is only held once a year (it's actually every month), it actually gets bigger every year. The pooram season kicks off with Arattupuzha Pooram on April 13th and ends with its grand finale on May 6th. On these two days there are several smaller festivals that take place around town including a huge elephant procession through town followed by fireworks displays on both nights; both activities can be viewed live at their respective locations here: [link]

Perinthalmanna Nercha

Perinthalmanna Nercha: Celebrated in memory of a local saint, this festival features traditional music performances, cultural events, and a bustling market.

The main events of the Perinthalmanna Nercha are held on the third day of the Malayalam month of Kumbham (March–April). The festival is celebrated at Vettuvallur Temple in Kerala state.

Malappuram Flower Show

The Malappuram Flower Show is held annually in January and attracts horticulture enthusiasts from across the state, showcasing the region's stunning flora and fauna. The event includes a number of stalls selling flowers and plants, along with workshops on how to grow them.

Vettakkorumakan Temple Festival

Vettakkorumakan Temple Festival: This popular temple festival is celebrated in August or September, featuring vibrant processions, traditional music performances, and a colourful bazaar.

The temple festival is held for ten days during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (August/September) when devotees visit the famous Sree Krishna Swami Temple situated on top of a hillock known as Bhagavathy Hill. The main attraction at this annual event is its colorful procession that travels through several streets lined with shops selling traditional crafts made by local artisans.

Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University Cultural Fest

The Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University Cultural Fest: This annual cultural festival celebrates the region's rich literary heritage, featuring poetry readings, storytelling sessions and traditional dance and music performances.

Thrissur Pooram: One of the most famous temple festivals in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram takes place every year at Vadakkekara Devi Temple in Thrissur on April 14th to 15th. A five-day event with over 100 elephants participating in numerous dances led by more than 15 troupes from different parts of India including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh along with local groups like Paramekkavu Samskaram (Malabar), Kannankode Kalari Ulladan Nair Chakyar Namboodiris (Kerala) etc., this spectacle attracts more than one million people each year!

Malappuram International Film Festival

A relatively new addition to the region's cultural calendar, this film festival showcases a diverse range of international and Indian films and features panel discussions and workshops.

Thirunavaya Navaratri Mahotsavam

Thirunavaya Navaratri Mahotsavam is a grand temple festival held annually in September or October. This temple festival marks the marriage of Goddess Gowri with Lord Vishnu, and it’s celebrated with colourful processions, traditional music performances and lively bazaars.

Kuttippuram Nercha

Kuttippuram Nercha: Celebrated in memory of a revered Muslim saint, this annual festival features colourful processions, traditional music performances, and a bustling market.

The main attraction of this event is the procession of carts carrying idols from mosques to temples. The carts are pulled by bullocks or oxen and decorated with flowers and other materials. It takes about 2 hours for these processions to make their way through Malappuram town.