South India · State
Kerala
A narrow strip between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with backwaters, spice hills, temple percussion and one of India's oldest continuous trading histories.
- Capital
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Languages
- Malayalam (official); English widely used; Tamil, Tulu in border districts — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Kathakali and Koodiyattam, the latter recognised by UNESCO
- • Mohiniyattam dance and chenda melam percussion ensembles
- • Kasavu handloom weaving at Balaramapuram and Chendamangalam
- • Kalaripayattu martial art and Ayurvedic practice
Major festivals
- Onam — August–September (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Thrissur Pooram — April–May (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Vishu — April
Traditional dress & textiles
Dress varies by community, district, occasion and generation; everyday clothing today is often contemporary. These are representative traditions rather than a single state costume.
- • Kasavu textiles — off-white cotton with a gold zari border — are worn as the set-mundu and mundum neriyathum
- • The kerala sari with kasavu border is common at Onam and weddings
- • Men wear the mundu, sometimes folded at the knee, with a shirt or bare shoulder cloth at temples
Where to go
Show Kerala on the explore mapSources & verify
- Kerala Tourism (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles
Last reviewed: August 2026. Cultural traditions in India vary by community, district, occasion and generation. The notes below are representative examples reviewed against government sources, not exhaustive or official definitions. Festival timings follow lunar or locally announced calendars — verify current dates with the relevant state tourism department before travelling.