Kerala tourism Guide

Ambalapuzha Arattu commences on the Atham day of March – April month (Meenum) and ends on the Thiruvonam day of Meenum month. It starts with the flag hoisting and lasts for ten days. Ambalapuzha Arattu takes place on the 10th and final day of the festival. Important event of this festival is the Velakali which is performed from the second day onwards till the end of the festival. Velakali is a Martial arts dance performed by the Nair community during this festival. It is performed by men wearing bright dress and wielding swords and shields and depicting the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas. A grand procession of caparisoned elephants accompanied with the beats of percussion instruments is taken out every evening from the seventh day onwards. Another important function of Ambalapuzha Arattu festival is the Natakasala Sadhya or dance hall feast which is held on the ninth day of the festival. This feast is held to honor the Marars who are the traditional artists who plays the percussion instruments during this festival and to show respect to Lord Krishna who served food to the temple percussion instruments artists as the legend says. It is also believed that Lord Krishna comes here every day to have the palpayasam along with the devotees in one form or the other.