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Culture

Culture in Kottayam


Religion:

The major religions practiced by the resident population of Kottayam includes Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Though Hinduism  is the prominent religion practiced in Kottayam. The place has its own rich Christian tradition and its landscapes are dotted with a large number of sacred Christian churches. The Old Seminari is one of the significant religious institution that imparts teaching for Syrian Christians in Kerala.

Literature:

Kottayam has been the home grounds of various well-known journalists, artists and writers. The famous novelist Arundhati Roy, who is a native of Kottayam in her book “The God of Small Things”, the winner of semi-autobiographical Booker prize, has listed various early days experiences  in Aymanam, Kottayam in great detail. The other popular poet and novelist pertaining to this part of the land includes Pala Narayanan Nair and Mutthathu Varkey.

Sports:

The popular sports of the Kottayam district include basketball, football and cricket. This majestic district is famous for its athletes as well, as some of them have represented India in various international tournaments. This small town organizes various popular basketball tournaments which include Lourdes Trophy, Marian Trophy and Girideepam Trophy every year.

Economy:

Kottayam is renowned all over the country as it is one of the major trading center for natural rubber in India. The Rubber Board has been set up by the Government of India for the development of the rubber industry. Numerous small and medium sized enterprises are scattered all around the town and are engaged in the processing of rubber latex and also in the manufacturing of rubber products. Kottayam is also famed as an important trading center of commercial crops.

Kottayam is slowly attaining  an image of the business center. The Sastri Road located in the heart of Kottayam is a popular place to indulge in shopping as the place is dotted by a large number of national and international product brands.

Fairs and Festivals-

Flower Show and Food Festival:

This annual festival is held every year during the third week of January. During the festival, a large number of cultural programs are held. Flowers from various parts of the district and the wild and mild fragrance of the flowers linger in the air of the surrounding area.

Erumeli PettaThullal:

Erumeli PettaThullal is a traditional festival celebrated every year during the month of January. The devotees on their way to Sabharimala halt here to offer their prayers in Varvar Mosque and attend this traditional festival of Kottayam, being celebrated at the Sastha temple, where devotees participate in unconstrained dancing, showing their respect for the Divine ecstasy.

Vaikomashtami:

The Vaikomashtami festival has been celebrated for 12 days between the months of November and December. During the festival celebration fireworks , Elephant processions and cultural performances like Ottamthullal, Kathakali along with musical recitals are the major highlights.

Ponadu Chootu Padayani:

The Bhagavathy Temple located in the Meenachil Taluk celebrates the festival of Ponadu Chateau Padayani  annually . During this celebration, the devotees participate in the rituals where clockwise respectful circumambulation carrying lighted palm fronds and hit one another with the burning fronds are practiced.

Thazhathangadi Boat Race:

The snake boat race more popularly known as ‘vallam Kali’ are one of the most renowned events in Kerala. These boat races are organized at the time of Onam festivities during the months of August and September. The boats participating in the festival are 130 feet long and at one time 16 boats take part in these esteemed boat races. The boat rowers row the boats in the tune of the boat song sung by the local singers.

Thirunakara Festival :

The Thirunakara festival is celebrated in the Thirunakara temple between the months of March and April. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and during the festival celebration, various local artists gather in the temple compound to perform art forms like Mayilattom and Velakali, in the evening.

Dance Forms:

Kottayam culture is not only famous for its various cultural festivals but also for its various dance forms. Numerous devotees from all parts of India approach to attend and participate in Kottayam festivals. Margamkali and Arjuna Nritham are the two famous dance forms of Kottayam. The Margamkali dance form  is widely practiced by the Syrian community of Christians. The songs used for these dance performances are based on the life of St. Thomas. The Arjuna Nritham is performed only by men during the night. The lighting during the performance of Nritham is done with the use of traditional lamps.



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