Kerala’s Painkuni Festival is an experience like none other

Painkuni Festival 2019 is all set to start in Kerala, and travellers can escape to this beautiful state to witness this incredible cultural and religious festival. One of the most awaited festivals in Kerala, the Painkuni Festival is hosted at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The festival starts on March 14 and is going to continue until March 23, 2019.

With a rich history associated with the Royal Family of Travancore, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple commands a significant position in Kerala. It dates back to centuries and is at the centre of the Painkuni Festival that is going to be held this month. The 10-day festival is an annual one, and it starts with kodiyettu, which means the hoisting of the ceremonial flag.
During the festival, massive figures made of fibreglass represent the Pandavas from the Indian epic, Mahabharata. These figures are then placed at the eastern entrance to the temple. According to religious beliefs, and traditions, the figures are put up at the eastern gate of the temple in order to propitiate Indra, also known as the God of Rain.

Painkuni Festival 2019 will see numerous devotees coming here and offering prayers on each of the ten days. The ninth day has special significance as this is when the head of the Travancore Royal Family performs palli vetta, or the royal hunt ritual. This happens near the Vettakorumakan Temple in the Fort area.

Finally, the festival ends with the giant figures, known as aarattu, being taken to Shanghumugham Beach for immersion in the sea.
The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, for those eager to partake in the festivities here.