Theyyam ritual in Kerala, India 11 Jan 2019

Posted on 11 Jan 2019

Theyyam ritual practiced in Kannur, North Kerala, India

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The Theyyam ritual is practiced in Kannur in northern Kerala, India. This colourful ritual dance incorporating mime takes place from December to April annually to worship the spirits of ancestors and heroes.

Keen to discover more? Travel to Kerala with Insight Guides Insight Guides' Magical Kerala trip. The tour can be tailored to your needs and interests to ensure your holiday is exactly how you want it to be. In addition, our local experts can help you time your trip just right so you can experience the best of the Theyyam's festivities.

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We had a wonderful trip though parts of South India. Using an agency was a difficult decision, as my partner and I have travelled for decades under our own steam and with so much less advance planning than was involved here. What we appreciated was the possibility to 'offload' some of the on-site organisation that, while undoubtedly giving you an insight into a society and culture, also means time spent on the phone, in a queue or online. This, when you could be out there and experience an aspect of the country, that does NOT remind you of trying to contact the likes of Scottish Power (feel free to replace by any other profiteering untility). Being able to determine hotels ourselves and also to tailor the mix between where we did our own thing and where the local agency booked things for us was great. The local agency got very quickly how we wanted to travel. Where they advised us against options, they really knew what they were talking about and suggested undoubtedly better alternatives. Communication was clear and naturaly friendly. Where we had drivers, they were professional and great to travel with. So we were very happy all around. If I would be looking for possible icings on the cake, it would have been the inclusion of cultural events, or maybe just pointers to where to look for what (such as carnatic classical music or theyyem performances). But then maybe this is the old conundrum that it is only authentic if you stumble across it...........

Ursula Oct 2019