festivals

Having a number of religious centres like temples, mosques & churches, and a religious and cultured population, Malappuram usually bristles with fairs and festivals. The following are some of the important occasions that are celebrated in Malappuram:

• Kottakkal Pooram – A temple festival celebrated during March-April; It is attractive for its colourful and cultural festivity.
• Thirumandham Kunnu Pooram – Another temple festival celebrated during March-April. A seven-day affair, this festival includes a cultural feast, which is the most attractive feature of this festival, and also a “Mangalya Pooja” involved married young women, who come in thousands, and pray for a good wedlock.
• Onam - an annual harvest festival celebrated all over the state of Kerala, during which many special local delicacies are prepared, and homes and other places are decorated with flower designs (Pookalam or rangolis with fresh flowers).
• Nilambur Pattu - An ancient festival celebrated during February, and is a week-long celebration, connected to ancient war and hunting. Tribal chieftains in the city also participate in it.
• Puthenpalli Nercha – An annual festival of Muslims, usually organized by the mosques here. Thousands of Muslims in and around the city gather at the mosque(s) to celebrate and during this festival, Neychor (Ghee Rice) is distributed to everyone, including the poor people in the city.
• Omanur Nercha - a famous mosque festival celebrated in memory of martyrs.