Sivarathri

Mahasivarathri is celebrated by the Hindus in Kumbham (February-March). It is supposed to commemorate the day on which Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakutavisham) to save the world from destruction. The annual Sivarathri festival held on the banks of Periyar at Alwaye is one of the most colourful local festivals of Kerala. The pilgrims keep awake the whole night and return home next morning after performing bali.