The traditional Hindu in the district observes a number
of religious festivals. Among them the prominent ones are Vinayaka
Chathurthi (in the month of Chingam, August-September), Ashtami Rohini
(in Chingam), navarathri (in Kanni, September-October), Mahasivarathri
(in Kumbhom, February- March), Onam (in Chingam), Vishu (in Medom,
April- May) and pooram (in
Meenam, March- April).
The
navarathri festival is a nie day festival and a favourable period for
the worship of Sakthi. The last day of the festival, Vijayadasami, is
regarded as auspicious for the beginning of children’s education –
vidyaramba.
The
festival of Vishu, the vernal equinox, is observed in this district on a
grant scale. The most important ceremony connected with this is the
Kanikanal (literally means the first sight). The Malayalee believes that
if he sees suspicious things like gold ornaments, a measure of rice or
paddy, mirror, flowers of kanikonna tree, etc arranged on the previous
night in the home, I the first day of the New year, the whole of the
year will be lucky for hism.
Children
and poor people get gifts of money from elders on the Vishu day. This
custom is called Vishukaineettam. An indispensable element I the
celebration of Vishu in this district is the extensive display of
fireworks.
The
pooram festival of nine days begins o the day of Karthika. Asterism and
ends on the day of pooram. During the festival days the image of
Kamadeva is installed in every hindu home and unmarried girls offer
pooja. The pooram season is an occasion for rejoicing and merry-making.
An interesting feature of the pooram festival is that it is accompaniesd
by the poora vilakku (illumination) and poorakkali in the temples.
The
festivities associated with deepavali (in Thulam, October-November) in
Tamil Nadu or North India are, however, missing in this district.
Onam, the
harvest festival of Kerala, is celebrated in Kannur also but the
traditional myth here with regard to its origin, is different from what
it is in central or south Kerala. The festival is limited to two days
viz. Uthradam and Thiruonam days.
