Mandalapooja ; A holy Fasting of Forty-one days

Mandalapooja is one of the major festivals in South India. It is observed with high religious sentiments during the pilgrim season between November and January. The festival is related to Sabarimala, the abode of the Hindu God, lord Ayyappa. The temple is situated in the hilly area of pristine and scenic beauty at an altitude of about 3500 feet, in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The important part of the festival is the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Devotees adhere to forty-one days of austerities and penance and prepare themselves wearing the rosary and do the poojas, chanting Ayyappa hymns and meditating everyday and live like a celibate. They abstain from all sensual pleasures and take only vegetarian food during this pilgrim season namely Mandalakaalam. The male devotees are called ‘ayyappan’ and the female devotees are called ‘malikappuram’. This is the rarest of festivals in which the god and devotee are called by the same name. females between the age of 10 to 50 are not allowed to Sabarimala. Every year a growing number of 3-4 million devotees visit Sabarimala during this season. Regardless of caste, creed,colour or religion everyone wears black dhotis and carry on their heads, bundles called ‘irumudikkettu’ containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice. The temple is inundated with pilgrims from all across India. Ayyappans move in small groups in the leadership of a ‘guruswami’ and reach Pamba. They take a holy dip in the river Pamba which is considered to be absolving sin. From Pamba, the temple is accessible only by foot. One has to treck about 4km to reach th final 18 steps called ‘pathinettaampadi’ the final steps before getting the holy view of lord Ayyappa.
In addition to the mandala kaalam, the Ayyappa temple remains open only on the 1st day of every Malayalam month and on the day of Vishu festival. Lord Ayyappa is considered as the union of the lord Vishnu and the lord Shiva, the god of preservation and god of destruction respectively. Hence Ayyappa is considered to be the bestower of limitless blessings in Kaliyuga and thus called Kaliyugavarada.

Author : Shaiju

Avaniavittam; Forsak of old holy thread

Avani avittam is a festival celebrated by the Brahmins. This festival falls in the month of Sravan (August-September) on the day of Sravan –Purnima. Celebrated widely in the states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Maharastra and Orissa it is one of the most important festival for the Hindus. This is also called Upakarmam.

The Brahmins renounce their old holy thread and wear a new one on this day. They believe that renouncing the old thread signifies the washing away of all the sins committed. A dip in the holy river is taken to wash away the sins and a new thread is worn with a prayer to provide them with strength and dignity.

This day is celebrated in the northern states of India as Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi. Here sisters tie a silken-thread-rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. The brother takes the vow to protect his sister lifelong.
Author: Shabhnam

The Biggest Christian Conference;Maraamon Convention

Maramon Convention, the biggest Christian conference in Asia, is a spiritual & cultural meet of Kerala Christians. All Christian churches participate in this convention. This spiritual festival continues to run for over a century. It is an eight day-long annual festival, conducting every month of February.
The Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians who once a year come here for listening to the Word of God as read and expounded by leaders of Christian thought from all over India as well as abroad. Preaching and Bible study occupy the major part of the conference programmer. Along with the religious reading and discourse, singing of hymns and praying for the sick and the needy are also held. It is grand sight to behold the sea of humanity offer prayers for the sick and the suffering for half an hour every day for a week. Prayer and worship at the convention accompanied by singing is a wonderful experience for every participant- an experience which purges and cleanses his soul and draws him closer to God and to his fellowmen.
Convention location is on the banks of river Pamba. It is known as Pamba Manalppuram (vast sand-bed). Here a big temporary pandal (canopy) is created. In this pandal over one lake persons can sit. Temporary bridges are built across river Pamba. Traditionally Cadjan leaves are used for pandal. Maramon, Kozhenchery, Pullad, Ayiroor, Kumbanad & other nearby parishes together create the pandal. They donate Cadjan leaves, bamboo poles & other materials for erecting the convention pandal. About a week before the convention, the sand banks become a scene of great activity. All round the pandal there are temporary sheds and tents for various purposes furthering the objects of the Convention. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices and restaurants are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the pandal under the strict control of the authorities. Long valloms (boats) with canopies, and stored with provisions for the use of families from distant places lie anchored in the river.
Bishops of Marthoma church & other churches, ministers, MLAs, political & cultural leaders & different personalities participate in the convention. Audience is a big crowd. However there will be no appointing police & security persons. Each person obeys self discipline. This is a specialty of Maramon Convention.
Preparation for convention starts months ago by church & government departments. Organizing committee and other 16 sub committees are doing their own duties well. Mike using started in convention since 1948. Till then the lecturers’ words reached to the audience through mouth to mouth method. In these periods there was no electricity. So petromaxes were used for light. Now latest voice & light technologies are used.
Building homes for poor, destitute homes, Sunday school & other activities & ideas are created by Maramon Convention. The convention spreads unity of different christian churches. Also it gives spiritual progress & relief for believers.
Maramon is also famous as the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century. This village which developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue of Maramon Convention.

Author : Sakeer

Payippadu Vallamkali

Payippad Jalotsavam is fourth biggest Boat Race in Kerala. Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race are other biggest Boat Race in Kerala.
The three-day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake, 35km from Alappuzha, commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Harippad. The story is that the people of the village decided to build a temple with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity. After the temple was ready, they had a vision directing them to a whirlpool at Kayamkulam Lake where they would find the idol of Sree Subramanya which was to be installed at the temple. Accordingly, the elders of the village accompanied by divers and swimmers rowed to the spot and found the idol which was escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colorfully decorated boats. This happened on the Thiruvonam day of the Malayalam month of Chingam. To this day a water fiesta is conducted along the route traced by the auspicious procession. Besides the boat race, spectacular water pageants are organized with water floats, decorated boats, performing arts, children in fancy attire etc. The vanchipattu is a characteristic feature of these processions. The event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over.

Author: Sakeer

Thrissur Pooram: Mother Of All Pooram

Thrissur pooram, the most eye-catching festival of Kerala , is a cultural highlight par-excellence, celebrated on ‘Pooram nakshathram’ in the Malayalam month of ‘Medam’ (April, May) It is considered as the ‘Mother of all Poorams’ and is the meeting place of all arts. It lasts for about 36 hours. People across all barriers of religion and caste conducted and participated in Thrissur pooram.

The festival was introduced by Sakthan Thamburan the former Maharaja of Kochi, Ramavarma(1775- 1790) . Celebrations are staged at Thekkinkadu grounds surrounding the ‘Vadakkunatha’ temple. Thrissur poorm attracts large number of devotees and viewers from all the parts of state and even from outside. The most impressive processions are those from the ‘Krishna’ temple at Thiruvambadi and ‘Devi’ temple at Paramekkavu which are quite significant event for their devotees. The pooram festival is also well known for the awe- inspiring display of fire works. Fire works start in the early hours and the glittering display lasts three to four hours.
TEN DEITIES
Ten deities from the neighboring temples pay obeisance to the presiding deity of Thrissur. Chief participants are Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. Other participants called ‘Cherupoorams’ include Kanimangalam, Karamukku, Choorakattukara, Laloor, Ayyanthole, Nethilakkavu, Chembukavu, and Panamukkampilly.
BEHIND THE STORY & END OF SUPREMACY OF NAMBOOTHIRIES
There is little history to the festival which says that before Thrissur pooram, a one- day temple festival was detained at Aratupuzha Twelfth (12 k.m) south of the Thrissur. Temples is and around. thrissur were regular participants of the religious exercise until they were once denied entry by the chief of the Peruvannan area of Cherpu, known for its Namboodiri supremacy. Namboodiries were considered the formost Bhramin caste in Kerala. Prince ‘RAMAVARMA’ the architect of Thrissur, decided to put an end to Namboodiri supremacy and alleviate the offended confidence of his subjects.
‘RAMAVARMA’ undertook the task pf reconditioning ‘Vadakkunatha’ temple which was earlier bounded by high walls and was controlled by Namboodiries. Raja Ramavarma to thrissur where they could pay obeisance to Lord (sri) Vadakkunathan the deity of the vadakkunathan temple .Further he directed the main temples od Thrissur- Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu - to extend all help and support to these temples. Ten deities from the neighboring temples pay obeisance to the presiding deity of Thrissur and only spectator of the pooram event, Vadakkunatha temple situated in the heart.
EZHUNALLIPPU
The festival extends for 36 hours beginning with Ezhunnellippu of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning, followed by the Ezhunnellippu’of the other six minor temples on the pooram day. Thiruvambadi temples to the Vadakkunathan temple. It may be noted that although this grand festival is known as Thrissur pooram, it is in fact the conclusion of the eight- day utsavams.
RITUALS& REVELS
Major participant of the pooram, Paramekkavu& Thiruvambadi provide a spectacular show of best of kerala art &culture to the on lookers as they display their artistic ability. Each group proves their own abilities. Colossal and colorful processions are organized by temples, starting from Krishna temple and Devi temple. The group enters the Vadakkunatha temple through the western gate of the temple. Both the groups stand face to face and the competition become open.
PANCHAVADYAM & PANDIMELAM
A main attraction of the pooram is ‘Panchavadyam’. Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. Over 200 artists from various disciplines like Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka unleash their talent and leave the audience spell bound. Time of noon is reserved for another event called Pandimelam, in which artists holding mastery of Drum, Drum pets, Pipe and Cymbal participate.
ANACHAYAM PRADARSANAM
A convey of caparisoned elephants is the most captivating aspect of Thrissur pooram.On the pooram evening, two lines of 13 decorated elephants face each other, on the ground south to the temple . The best elephants are selected for the convey and given a hugemake over. They are painted, bejeweled and given abeautiful satin robe. Colorful silk parasols are the important part of their getup. Each of the majestic pachyderm gets the honor of bearing an umbrella holder, a ‘peacock fan(Alavattom) carrier and a yak- tail fly whisk wielder(Venchamaram).This exhibition of the paraphernalia of elephants decoratives is called ‘Anachayam pradarsanam’
KUDAMATTOM
Space between the two lines of elephants is taken up by the orchestra consisting of precussion and wind instruments. Just wheb orchestra reaches its crescendo; the parasols are changed with an even more colourful and exquiste one. The ceremonycalled ‘Kudamattom’.This is very exciting for the crowds who applaud whole heatedly every time the parasols change. The deities of different temples arrive on the regally decorated elephants. The sight of the meeting of the different ‘GODS’ is the brilliant and memorable one.
A SPECTACULAR FIRE WORKS
The festivals conclude with the dazzling display of fire works. The bursting of crackers continous till the wee hours of the next morning. Shows by Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devasom are the most reputed and popular of all. They present many innovative patterns and varieties of fire works which make spectators going raptures. this famous and mighty display of the magnificent display of fire works add to the popularity of the pooram festival Thus the festivals which begins in the early hours of the pooram morning concludes at the break of the dawn, the next day on a cheerful note. Pooram festival.
THRISSUR POORAM FEST IN CHENNAI
The confederation of Tamilnadu Malyalee Associations (CTMA) was reenacting the famous Thrissur pooram in Chennai for the first time on Sunday, September 30, 2007 at St. George’s AI Higher Secondary School, Poonamalee Road. A herd of eleven caparisoned life-like elephants were displayed with full decoration including silk umbrellas Peacock fan (Alavattom) Yak tail fly whiskers(Venchamaram) colorful silk parasols was show for ‘KUDAMATTOM’ . A team of 250 artists from Thrisuur were playing the melam, ‘PANCHAVADYAM’ and ‘ELANCHITHARAMELAM’. Finally the exquisite display of fire crackers was very amazing.

PROMINENT FEATURE OF THRISUR POORAM
The most striking feature of the Thrissur pooram is its very secular nature. The Muslim and Christian communities actively take part in it and they play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival Most of the pandals are the craft work of the experts from the Muslim community. For the two days of the festival, the CMS School owned by the north Kerala Dioceses of CST church and located on the Western part of the Swaraj Round, becomes very virtually the Head quarters of the Thiruvambadi Devasom. The temple elephants are tied in the school compound. The ‘ANACHAMAYA PRADARSANAM’ is also held here. The parasols for the ‘KUDAMATTOM’ are offered by the churches and their members. At time when the secular fabric of the Indian society is slowly decayed, one can not be narrow minded to the relevance of Thrissur pooram, the conduct of which should come worthy of emulation to other festivals in the country.

Author: Smitha AT

It 's New Year : Vishu

HAPPY NEW YEAR! That’s what we have got to say to a mallu when we get up on a Vishu day morning. Do you know why? Well it’s because the day celebrated as Vishu is the first day of the first Malayalam month Medam.it is actually a harvest festival which mirrors the prosperity of the state. Vishu is celebrated not only here in Kerala but in many other Indian states. In Tamil Nadu it is called Puthandu, Punjabis call it Baisakhi, and for assamis it is Bihu.
Vishu kani (the first thing seen on Vishu) is the most auspicious ritual of the day. It is believed that seeing a good kani on the first day of the year brings a good year ahead. At the night before Vishu the mistress of the house prepares the kani. It is prepared in the pooja room. The statue of Lord Sri Krishna is kept and many auspicious items are kept around it. They include, konnapoovu (flowers of cassia fistula), nilavilakku (lighted lamp) (betel leaves), kanivellari (cucumber which is golden colour), areca nut, mirror, coins, kasavupudava (linen cloth) etc.
After preparing the kani the mistress sleeps near it. She gets up early in the morning and sees the kani first, and then she goes and wakes up the other members of the house and brings them to the pooja room blind folded.
The next ritual that follows is the most love one among us, children and youngsters- vishukkaineettam. Here the elder member of the house gives kaineettam as coins to the younger ones. This is believed to bring prosperity to their lives. All of them take bath and wear new clothes which are called puthukkodi.
In the afternoon a tasty meal called the sadhya is served. It is served in plantain leaves and includes a lot of tasty items. Vishu kanji, veppumpoorasam (a food prepared out of neem), maambazhapachadi (mango soup) are all add ons to this sadhya.
After this wonderful meal family gathers in the courtyard and children enjoy their vishupadakkam or bursting crackers. Thus Vishu is not a mere festival for us keralites but it is a time of reunion of the whole family, a time of prosperity a time where you welcome the coming year with great hope. On the whole Vishu is a day of new dreams and ambitions springing up.
Author : Shabnam

Bakrid: Memory of Ultimate Sacrifice

Other Names - Id-Ul – Adha or Id- Ul- Zuha
Celebrated On - The tenth day of the month Dhul Hijja.

‘BAKRID’ is religious festival celebrated by muslims world wide as a commemoration of ‘Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to Allah. It is called as Id- Ul- Zuha, which coincides with the Haj pilgrimage at Mecca. In India bakrid is a festival of rejoicing.

THE HERE ANE NOW
According to popular belief, prophet Ibrahim was put to tough test by Allah to prove his faith, he was asked to sacrifice his son Ishmael and without any un certainty prophet Ibrahim blindfolded himself and made the offering on the mount of Mina near Mecca. When prophet Ibrahim opened his eyes, he was astonished to find a goat lying upon the altar and his son standing in front of him: ever since, followers of Ishmael all over the world offer sacrifices on the festival day.

On this day devot Muslims of all ages offer special prayers at mosques in the morning. Whereas Id Ul Fither has much focus on feasting, revelry and dressing in one’s best, bakrid is comparatively modest. Muslims sacrifice animal - a goat or sheep -divide the meat into three parts and distribute it among poor, friends and relatives and whatever remains is for the family.

Bakrid also marks the culmination of the Haj- pilgrimage to ‘Ka’ba’ in Mecca where muslims from the world over assemble. The ‘Ka’ba’ was the most important place of worship even before the advent of Islam and the revelation of the holy ‘QURAN’ to prophet Muhammed , after which significance of the ‘Ka’ba’ has been growing . The day of Id Ul Zuha starts with the early morning ‘NAMAZ’ in a Mosque. Namaz is offered in the early hours of the day.
The whole atmosphere is filled with resonance of ‘ALLAHU AKBAR’. The meeting then prepares for the congregational prayer led by the ‘IMAM’. After the prayer they exchange greetings and, as an expression of affectionate brotherhood, hug each other. People visit friends and relatives wearing new clothes & jewellery. Children are given gifts & money. The Indian subcontinent sweets are exchanged.

Muslim women in Kerala pay visits to the neighboring homes and take part in singing and dancing in the evening special meetings are perfect examples of the spirit of tolerance and mutual friendship that exist between communities in the state.

BAKRID RECIPES
Special dishes are prepared on this occasion. Sweet dishes, to non vegetarian items like Biriyani, Ghee rice, Chicken curry, Chicken varattiyathu, Stufffed bread, Muttamala, Mutta suruka, Chattipathiri, Irachipathiri, Nei pathiri, Samosa, Unnakkai etc.

Onam :The Harvest Festival Of Kerala

Onam is a secular harvest festival, celebrated all over the state of Kerala. This festival is celebrated in memory of the golden days under a mythical King Mahaabali, who ruled Kerala. Keralites celebrate Onam in the beginning of ‘Chingam’ (the first month of Malayalam calendar). People of Kerala welcome Mahaabali with ‘pookalams’, songs , dance and games.

Celebration of Onam lasts for ten days in Kerala. In some regions, festivities are limited to 4-6 days only. Each day has special rituals and people follow them dutifully.

Onam starts from Atham and ends on the tenth day Thiruvonam. These days are of great celebration. Some people celebrate ‘Uthradam’ also as extremely important.

The Legend of Onam
King Mahaabali is the most famous and the attractive hero behind the festival Onam. Onam celebrates the annual visit of King Mahaabali to the state of Kerala.
Mahaabali is also known by other names like ‘Maveli’ and ‘Onathappan’. According to myth, he was an Asura king who ruled Kerala. He was an able and just ruler and the people lived happily.
Precise story of king Mahaabali
Mahaabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad the devout son of demon king Hiranyakashipu. Mahaabali had a son called Bana , who become a legendary king in his own right and become popular as Banaraj in central Assam. Mahaabali belonged to the Asura dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. His strength of character earned him the title of “Mahaabali chakravarthy” or Mahaabali the king of kings.
Gods became jealous of his popularity and fame. They started thinking about ways to destroy their enemy So Goddess Aditi approached Vishnu whom Mahaabali worships.

Mahaabali was a generous person. He always grand help to the poor who came to him. Lord Vishnu himself incarnated as a poor Brahimin called ‘Vamana’, approached king Mahaabali and asked him for a pieceof land. The generous Mahaabali let him take as much as he wanted. The Brahmin said that he wanted ‘three steps of land’. King Mahaabali was surprised to hear this. He granted the request. Royal adviser Sukraachaarya warned him that Vamana was not an ordinary person. Mahaabali however said that it would be a sin for a king not to keep his promise. The Brahmin was allowed take the land. Mahaabali could not understand that the Brahmin was Lord Vishnu. Vamana grew to gigantic proportions. With his first step he covered the whole earth and with the second step he covered all heavens. There was no space for the third step. Mahaabali, with folded hands, bowed before Vamana and asked him to take the next step on his head and Vamana did so. Mahaabali was pushed to ‘Paataalam’. Then Lord Vishnu revealed his identity and the king was surprised. He requested permission to visit his people once in a year and Lord Vishnu allowed him.
Onam is the day when Mahaabali comes visiting his subjects


Onam Specialties
Onasadya, Pookalam , Vallamkali, Boat Race

Onasadya
Onasadhya is the most delicious item of the grand festival Onam. Both rich and poor people prepare onasadhya in a grand manner. 25 essential dishes are prepared for onasadhya .

Onasadhya is served on a tender banana leaf laid on a mat laid on the floor. Tradition has fixed an order to the serving of the dishes and there is a clear idea as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf. After making food, people offer food to Good

Pookalam
Pookalam is a very complex and colorful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Pookalam is a combination of a two words, ‘poov’ means flower and ‘kalam’ means color sketcheson the ground.Old people used to make efforts to collect flowers for designing a pookalam . In the morning children get up early and gather flowers in their small ‘pookooda’ (basket) from the village gardens. Nowadays, the trend has changed and people have the option of buying flowers from the market in the shape and color of their choice.
Vallamkali
Vallamkali is the most attractive aspect of the onam festival. The Kerala state promotes this as a major tourist attraction.

In addition to these there are somany sports and games played in relation to Onam thy are Talappanthukali, Kayyankali, Attakalam ,Ambeyyel , Kutkutu .
Important item among them are Kummattikali, Pulikali/ Kaduvakali, Thumbi Thullal and Kaikottikali.
Without losing the old delicacy Malayalees welcomes Onam.

Author: Smitha Atholi

Muharram : The Opening month Of Hijira

Muharram is the opening month of Hijra year. The tenth day of this month is honored by the Muslims of Kerala. It is believed that during this month, while on a journey, Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family members and a number of his followers were surrounded by the forces of Yazid, the Muslim ruler of the time. During the siege, they were deprived of food and water and many of them were put to death. The incident happened at a place called Karbala in Iraq in 61st year after Hijra. This dispute was result of a disagreement among Muslims on the question of succession after the demise of Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph.
Copiously decorated tazias (bamboo and paper replicas of martyr’s tomb) inflated with gilt and mica are carried through the city streets. Accompanied by drum beats, the mourners cry and beat their breasts, grieving over the murder. Wrestlers and dancers endorse scenes illustrating the battle at Karbala.
On this day the Jews observe fast. The Prophet instructed the Muslims to observe fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. It was to commemorate the victory of the Jews over Pharaoh that fasting was instructed to Muslims on these days.
Muharram is an important religious ceremony for Shia Muslims. Only the very much devoted among Sunni Muslims observe fast.
Tiger-dance is one of the main items of this festival. To idealize the valor of Hussain some men assume the guise of tiger by painting their whole body to bring out the appearance of tiger, wear masks and parade through streets, playing, dancing and mimicking a tiger.
Author: Adarsh B M

Christmas: memory of Jesus’ birth

Christmas is celebrated all over the world among Christianity. It indicates the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Churches celebrate Christmas on 25th December. Some Churches celebrate on 6th January.
Exactly the meaning of Christmas is Christ’s Mass. People of Kerala celebrate Christmas without any discrimination of religion, caste or creed. It is an occasion for the reunion of families. Christmas is not a mere festival, but a solemn occasion of renewal of the memory of Jesus’ birth, life and his sacrifice.
Christmas in Kerala
The religious belief doesn’t interpret the celebration of Christmas. The considerable percentage of Christians in Kerala celebrates Christmas very widely. They hang stars on the branches of a tree in front of the house. The stars indicate the arrival of Christmas. This star is made up of bamboo pieces and they cover it with various colored papers. After making star, they place a light in the star, and hang it on a tree or a staff fixed on roof. But now people use ready made stars. They are available in almost all shops. It is very interesting to children to arrange stars in their houses.

Various modes of celebration
Greeting cards
Sending greeting cards is another important device of celebrations during Christmas. People send them to relatives, friends, lovers and so on . But now it has given way to a new trend: people send messages in mobile phone as SMS, picture messages, or MMS. It has become a trend among students and the youth. Greeting cards are rather expensive and everybody cannot afford it. But even now they are aplenty in shops.
Carol
Christmas carol is another fascinating item of Christmas .Carol groups visit all houses in the neighborhood dancing and singing with Infant Jesus and Santa Claus. People contribute money and participate in the joyful occasion. Carol troops use musical instruments; Santa Claus give gifts to little kids. It is especially for the children and they enjoy it most. The gifts which they receive are usually for the pocket money to celebrate.
Crib
People even non Christians make Cribs in their houses. Usually it is the children who make Cribs very attractively and beautifully. Parents help them. Small icons of infant Jesus, Holy Mary, ST. Joseph, the shepherds with Lambs, singing Angels and so on give life & beauty to the Cribs. Stars and Electric bulbs add to the beauty.
Christmas tree
. It is also another important and attractive item in Christmas celebration. Children usually climb on the tree to cut the branches to make Christmas tree. The branches of Casuarinas are usually used to make Christmas tree. The tree is decorated with bulbs, stars, color papers, balloons and so on. Nowadays we get ready made Christmas trees from shops
Mass
It is the most important holy ceremony of Christmas. On the occasion of Christmas, there are midnight masses in all Churches. Before mass the priest brings out the image of infant Jesus and is accompanied by some children.
People pray and sing aloud when the curtain of Crib raises and the priest keeps infant Jesus in it. The Mass will be over by about midnight. After the Mass they share Christmas cakes in Church.
Food and drinks
Liquor has gained a major role in Christmas celebrations in Kerala. People drink and eat fully with joy. House wives make delicious food. This is an examine occasion for them in making delicious food. They make Cakes and so on. The most important delicious meals in Christmas day are Fish molly, karimeen pappas (a local fish delicacy) with appam. It is an excellent combination of meals. There will be three to five courses of foods at noon. Wine with cake, bread with fish molly, appam with beef curry and rice with all sorts of side dishes and so on are used in this occasion .Before taking food everybody pray to God together .
Visits
During Christmas people visit neighbors and relatives. Parties may be arranged there. Men make a company with drinks; Women share the kitchen; children get new dresses and toys to play. Apart from tasty food and the company of relatives, the most important thing is that they get freedom from study and work. They are allowed to enjoy and play with their friends. This memory will remain till their death.
The story of Jesus’ birth and Christmas
The story of Christmas may bring you to understand the whole story about Christmas and Jesus’ birth.
Foretelling of Jesus’ birth.
Mary, a Galilean lady living in Nazareth engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter. An Angel announced to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit and she would give birth to this child and should name him Jesus. When Mary heard these words, she was afraid and troubled. She started questioning the angel:
“How will this be”? The angel told that the child who is going to born is God‘s own son and ‘Everything is possible to God.’ Hearing these words, she became happy and rejoiced in God.

Jesus’ birth
Before marriage, Mary became pregnant by the power of Holy Spirit. When Joseph heard about it ,he was disgraced and unpleasant. So he decided to forgo her. Under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning. Though his decision was to break the engagement which is better for a man to do, he treated her with superior kindness. He did so because he did not want to make her ashamed.
In his sleep, there appeared an angel in his dream and told him the real story about the pregnancy
Of Mary. The angel told him that his marriage with her was God’s will. The angel also told that the child within Mary was conceived by Holy Spirit, and that child would be named Jesus. He is the ‘Messiah’, means God with us. When he woke up from sleep, Joseph believed everything even though that was in dream. He decided to take Mary his wife. As he was noble, God selected him to be the Messiah’s earthly father.
He wondered at the words which appeared in Isaih 7:14. It contained the foretelling of Jesus’ birth. “There fore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel’.
During that time, Caesar ordered to take the census. Joseph belonged to the line of David. So he had to go to Bethlehem taking Mary with him. On the way to Bethlehem, Mary delivered Jesus in a crude stable because all the inns were crowded and they had no other place of shelter. The baby was wrapped in clothes and was placed in a manger.
The shepherds worship the baby
An angel appeared to the shepherds while they were guarding the flocks of sheep , and announced that the saviors had been born in the town of David. Then there appeared a great host of angels and they began singing praises to God. When they disappeared, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and praise the child.
When they arrived there, they saw the baby along with Mary and Joseph. They offered gifts to baby Jesus. On return they began spreading this news, praising and worshiping God.
The Magi’s gift
During the birth of Jesus, Herod was the king of Judea. At that time the Magi (wise men ) saw the star from east .This star was the symbol of Jesus’ birth . They came to the palace of Herod and asked about the birth of Jesus. The rulers replied:“in Bethlehem in Judea”. The Magi were ordered to collect news regarding Jesus and report to Herod. Herod wanted to kill the baby.
They found Jesus and Mary with the help of the star .They began to worship and praise the baby by offering treasures of gold, incense and myrrh. They did not go back to Herod .They had been warned in a dream of his plot to destroy the child.
author: Jayesh Kurian