A grand festival of faith, music, and devotion in the heart of Kerala.
Every year, the town of Mattakkara in Kottayam, Kerala, comes alive with the grand celebration of its annual church festival. This Kerala church festival is deeply rooted in faith, tradition, and community spirit. The Mattakkara church feast spans four to five days, featuring daily Holy Mass, vibrant church processions in Kerala, and a deep expression of devotion through music and rituals. The following series of moments capture the heart of this extraordinary Christian festival in India.
Silent Devotion A man in deep prayer during a holy mass.
The festival begins with a solemn Holy Mass, where devotees first gather inside the church to seek blessings. As the ceremony unfolds, the sacred ambiance, illuminated by candlelight and reverberating with prayers, gradually sets the tone for the days ahead. Meanwhile, worshippers, both young and old, carefully light candles as an offering of faith, their flickering flames symbolizing hope and devotion. In addition, the sight of glowing candles against the backdrop of colorful festival lights creates a moving spectacle of faith in action. Ultimately, this makes it one of the most heartfelt religious events in Kerala.
Sacred Procession A church festival procession in Mattakkara with incense and vibrant umbrellas.
As the celebration continues, the church premises gradually witness a grand church procession in Kerala, featuring a local marching band. Meanwhile, musicians dressed in coordinated uniforms passionately play brass instruments, their melodies filling the air with festive energy. Furthermore, the rhythmic beats and synchronized performances add a ceremonial charm, beautifully reflecting the deep-rooted Kerala Christian traditions. As a result, the band leads the way as people eagerly gather to follow the procession, marking the official beginning of the evening’s celebrations.
Brass Melody A trumpet player performs in the church festival procession band in Kerala.
The intensity builds as the procession moves outside the church, where chenda melam Kerala takes center stage. Young men, dressed in traditional attire, beat the chenda drums with unmatched vigor, creating a mesmerizing rhythm. The energy is infectious—devotees cheer, dance, and throw flower petals into the air, expressing their joy and devotion. This moment signifies the community’s collective spirit, where faith and celebration in Kerala intertwine seamlessly.
Burning Faith Worshippers light candles during church festival.
The festival reaches its peak as the grand night procession winds through the streets of Mattakkara in Kottayam, Kerala. Adorned in white and gold, devotees carry banners and sacred symbols, while the sound of chenda melam Kerala and chants fills the night sky. The streets glow with festoon lights as the town comes together to witness this breathtaking spectacle of devotion. As the Mattakkara church feast concludes, the night remains alive with celebrations, reinforcing the deep cultural and spiritual essence of the cultural festivals of Kerala.
Rhythmic Frenzy Chenda melam artists energize the crowd with rhythm.
Copyrights: All the photos and text in this post are the copyright of Kevin Navis and Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film. Their reproduction is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
