Unique Kerala - Bull Surfing, Maramadi

There are many events in Kerala which still retain within them a throbbing rural vigour. Bull Surfing, Maramadi or yoked bulls’ race is one such event. It is found in some remote villages of Kerala once the harvest season is over.

The freshly ploughed paddy fields or Kandams make the stadia for this rural pastime. This event is highly competitive and thrilling so that the villagers gather in large numbers around the field and cheer the participants.

A pair of yoked oxen managed by three persons forms a participating unit. Nearly thirty such units participate in the race which starts at noon and continues up to dusk. The oxen participating in these races are specially fed and trained at a cost of around ten thousand rupees per pair.

Anandappalli village in Pathanamthitta and Kakkoor Kalavayal in Ernakulam are two prominent places where Maramadi is held.

The Pancha Pandavas and Kerala

Legends from the Mahabharata are an intricate part of the cultural web of India, that transcends regional and linguistic affiliations. The southern state of Kerala is an outstanding illustration of this fact. While the historic sites of Indraprasta, Hastinapura and Kurukshetra are believed to be in what is now Uttar Pradesh in Northern India, the Kathakali dance form of Kerala is one of the best forms of expression of the legends from the Mahabharatam.
Kerala has a strong temple culture, and the temples of Kerala are noted for their austerity and strict adherence to age old worship protocols. Five temples of Kerala, dedicated to Vishnu (Krishna) are connected with the Mahabharatam. Legend has it that the Pandava princes set out on a pilgrimage throughout India, after installing Parikshit as the ruler of their vast empire. During their tour of Kerala, the five brothers built a temple each. These temples are:
Chengannur (Yuddhisthra)Tiruppuliyur (Bhima) Aranmula (Arjuna)Tiruvanvandur (Nakula) Tirukkodittaanam (Sahadeva)

Known Temples Of Kerala

1. The Padmanabhaswamy temple atTiruvanandapuram is a serene center of worship and a veritable art gallery as well.
2. At Mannaarsaala near Haripad near Trivandrum, a snake grove is held in regard as a place of worship.
3. Guruvayur : The Sree Krishna templehere attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. Naraayaneeyam the acclaimed sanskrit classic extols this shrine.
4. The Krishna temple at Tripunitura near Ernakulam is associated through legend with the Pandava hero Arjuna.
5. The Vadakkunnathar temple at Thrissurenshrines Shiva, Sankaranarayana and Rama and is one of the largest temple complexes in Kerala.
6. Shiva is worshipped as the divine physician at the Vaidyanatha temple inTaliparamba.
7. The Triprayar Rama temple in the vicinity of Thrissur is an architecturally beautiful temple.
8. Along with the Navamukunda temple atTirunavai are located temples dedicated to Shiva and Bhrahma across the Bharatapuzha river.
9. The Kumaranallur temple near Kottayam is home to a Bhagawati temple tied through legend with Madurai, Tamilnadu.
10. The Lakshmana Perumal temple atMoozhikkalam is dedicated to Lakshmana, brother of Rama and has been venerated by the Tamil hymns of the Alwar saints.
11. Tiruvinjikode near Thrissur has four images of Vishnu in a single shrine with the associated legend that they were installed by the Pandava princes.
12. The Krishna temple at Trichambaram in Northern Kerala enshrines Krishna, has a rich tradition of festivals.
13. The Subramanya temple at Haripadenshrines an imposing image of Skanda.
14. The Ettumaanoor Mahadevar temple is one of the triad of Shiva temples associated with the legends related to the demon Khara and is adorned with exquisite murals.
15. The Rajarajeswara temple atTaliparamba has legends associated with the Ramayana.
16. The Kozhikkode Tali temple is an ancient one rich in legend.
17. The Vilvamala hill temple in Northern Kerala bears shrines dedicated to Rama and Lakshmana.
18. Tiruvalla near Kottayam houses an ancient temple dedicated to Vishnu - Valabbha and is rich in heritage and tradition.
19. The Chengannur Mahadeva - Bhagawati temple is a large temple complex rich in legend and tradition.
20. Tiruvanchikkalam and the Tamil Nayanmars: Tiruvanchikkalam has been revered by Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Cheraman Perumaal of the 1st millennium CE.
21. Sabarimala - where millions converge: Shasta is enshrined in Sabarimala - pilgrimage to which shrine requires austerities.
22. Chotranikkara - Bhagawati Temple: Bhagawati is one of the most worshipped deities in Kerala. Visit this well known Bhagawati temple at Chottanikara.
23. The Ambalappuzha Krishna temple is one of the well known temples dedicated to Krishna in the state of Kerala.
24. The Udayanapuram Subramanyar templeis closely associated with the Vaikom Mahadevar temple nearby.
25. The Vaikom Mahadevar temple is a vast temple rich in legend, architecture and festivals.
26. The Kottayam Tirunakkara Mahadevatemple has Vaikom to its north and Ettumaanur to its south.
27. The Tiruvangad Rama temple is one of the well visited Rama temples in Kerala and is rich in legend and traditions.
28. The Sangameswara Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakkuda in Kerala is a one of a kind temple dedicated to Bharata the brother of Rama.
29. The Vamanamurthy temple at Trikakkaranear Irinjalakkuda is associated with the Onam festival tradition of Kerala.
30. The Bhagawati temple at Kodungallurenshrines Bhagawati - considered to be a manifestation of Kannagi of the Tamil epic Silappadikaaram.

There are many more Temples in Kerala, which are both famous and unique.

Try visiting these temples......

Details - Courtesy - www.templenet.com/Kerala/