A Taste of Timeless Kerala

Exploro Holidays Editor

May 10, 2025 – 4 min read

An immersive journey through Kerala’s rich heritage, weaving together its culinary delights, classical art forms, cultural soundscapes and heritage sights.

Festivals of Kerala: Celebrating Traditions

Kerala’s Onam is the state’s biggest harvest festival, celebrated for ten days each August–September with vibrant flower carpets, thrilling boat races, and the iconic Sadhya feast. Meanwhile, Vishu marks the Malayalam New Year in April and features the ritual “Kani Kanal” (first sighting) of auspicious items, including golden blossoms and rice. Additionally, fireworks are used to usher in prosperity and good fortune.
During Thrissur Pooram, locals gather at Vadakkunnathan Temple each April–May for caparisoned elephants, traditional percussion, and a dazzling fireworks finale. Meanwhile, the women-led Attukal Pongala in February draws millions who cook sweet offerings in clay pots along temple precincts. Moreover, this event stands as a powerful testament to Kerala’s living folk faith and enduring communal harmony.

Classical Art Forms: The Dance of Tradition

  • The Kathakali dance-drama is Kerala’s world-renowned “total art form,” blending intricate facial makeup, vivid costumes, dance, drama, and music into mythological stories on stage.
  • Mohiniyattam, the graceful “dance of the enchantress,” enchants audiences with its fluid movements and emotive storytelling, traditionally performed by women in temple festivals.
  • Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts in existence, combines acrobatics, weaponry, and yoga-like exercises, reflecting Kerala’s emphasis on physical discipline and spirituality.
  • Sopana Sangeetham, a soulful form of devotional music sung at temple steps, resonates with the state’s classical Carnatic traditions and offers a window into Kerala’s spiritual heart.

Beyond classical arts, Kerala’s folk music and drama, such as Theyam and Thiruvathira, echo the state’s tribal, agrarian, and temple cultures, highlighting locals’ rapport with nature and community rituals.

The Flavors of Kerala: Traditional Meals

Kerala’s cuisine is famously anchored by the Sadhya, a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. It features rice, various vegetable curries, pickles, and payasam, a sweet pudding. Moreover, coconut, in forms like oil, grated flesh, and milk—is a cornerstone of Kerala cooking. It enriches dishes with distinct creaminess and aroma. Additionally, appam, a fluffy, lacy rice pancake, pairs perfectly with a rich, coconut-based stew. This combination offers a balanced texture and flavor, popular for breakfast or dinner.
Puttu and kadala curry, steamed rice flour cylinders paired with spiced black chickpea curry, deliver comforting warmth and protein.
From the Malabar region comes the flaky Parotta matched with spicy Beef Fry, showcasing Kerala’s love for layered breads and bold, peppery meats.
Seafood lovers can’t miss the Kerala Boatman’s Crab Curry, a tangy, coconut-forward preparation seasoned with curry leaves, mustard seeds and a punch of black pepper.

Heritage Sights: Sights That Tell a Story

Kerala’s backwaters, threaded by houseboats and coconut palms, offer serene panoramas unmatched anywhere. Additionally, they reflect centuries-old boat cultures and canal systems.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rise dramatically along Kerala’s eastern border. They safeguard biodiverse rainforests, tea plantations, and mist-clad peaks. Additionally, historic forts and palaces like Anchuthengu Fort, Krishnapuram Palace, and the Dutch Palace stand as testaments to Kerala’s colonial encounters and royal past. Each one serves as a living museum of architecture and legend.

Malabar Snacks: Flavors of the North

In Malabar, Pazham Nirachathu (banana stuffed with coconut jaggery) offers a sweet–savory bite and is a quintessential teatime treat. Similarly, the golden crescent-shaped Unnakaya—plantain fritters filled with spiced coconut and nuts—deliver a satisfying crunch and melt-in-the-mouth filling. Neypathiri, a deep-fried rice pancake stuffed with onion, coconut, and cumin, showcases the region’s mastery of light textures and bold flavors. For a festive finale, Muttamala and Pinjanathappam blend silky egg-yolk strings with fluffy egg-white pudding into one decadent Malabar dessert.

Embrace Kerala’s Timeless Heritage

By adding local festivals and snacks to your Kerala journey, you experience the region’s culinary soul and rich traditions. So, pack your bags and mark your calendar for Onam or Vishu. Also, bring a big appetite for the vibrant Malabar flavors awaiting you in “God’s Own Country.”