Thiruvathira is one of the important festivals of Kerala that is solely women-centric. Tradition has it that Thiruvathira festival is celebrated in commemoration of the death of Kamadeva, the mythological God of love. According to another version Thiruvathira is the birthday of Lord Siva.

Celebrated by most Hindu communities, Thiruvathira falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). It is considered to be high auspicious to worship Siva and the devotees go to the temple before sunrise for 'darshan'. Apart from the worship in the Siva temple, there is very little celebration in the houses.

Also, Thiruvathira is a day of fasting and hence on this day women can only savor preparations of chama (panicum milicceum) or wheat along with plantain fruits, tender coconuts, etc. They also chew betel leaves and redden their lips. On the occasion of Thiruvathira, Oonjalattom, that is, swinging on an oonjal is an especial amusement. At night the women keep vigil for Siva and perform Thiruvathira kali or Kaikottikali.While praying they sing devotional songs and dance to rhythmic beats of the music.

The various temple festivals of Kerala are:

Kerala Temple Festivals

Arattu at Thiruvananthapuram Ambalapuzha Arattu Aranmula Uthrittathi Ashtami at Vaikom Attukal Ponkala Kuthiyottam & Kettukazhcha Ettumanoor Festival Guruvayoor Festivals Haripad Temple Festival Kanathurakavu Uthsavam Kodungalloor Bharani Uthsavamn Koodalmanickam Uthsavam Lokanarkavu Uthsavam Mannarsala Uthsavam Thrissur Pooram Sabarimala Shrine Sarkara Bharani & Kaliyoottu Sivagiri Mutt Sundareswara Temple Festival Thitunakkara Uthsavam Thiruvathira Uthra Seeveli in Thiruvalla temple Varkkala Janardhana Swami Temple Arattu

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