There is already so much beautiful nature to see and enjoy in Trivandrum, that you’ll have your days filled with relaxation and sightseeing. If however, you require a bit more excitement, then try to coincide your trip here with one of the many fun festivals or events that dot the calendar. If you especially enjoy Indian food, you’ll not want to miss the food festival, when chefs from around the country converge on Trivandrum for a sumptuous meld of Indian dishes.

Ernakulathappan Uthsavom: an 8-day series of colourful and evocative processions honours Lord Shiva at Cochin’s ancient Shiva Temple.

Village Fair: an entire traditional Keralan village is recreated each year near Kovalam to showcase the everyday life and ritual dances of ancient Kerala.

Nishagandhi Festival: a busy and varied weeklong schedule of classical dance forms such as Kathak, Mohiniyattam, Odissi and Bharathanatyam are performed at Trivandrum’s pleasant Nishagandhi open-air amphitheatre.

Food Festival: experienced chefs from every state in India converge on Trivandrum to show off their skills and the unique dishes from their part of the country.

Paripally Gajamela: this small town is famous throughout Kerala for its annual elephant pageant, in which more than 50 of these amazing creatures parade through town to the temple.

Thissur Pooram: a ‘pooram’ is a meeting and celebration of all forms of art, and the neighbouring town of Thissur is regarded as having the most impressive festival of its kind in Kerala.

Champakulam Boat Race: the first race of the Backwater’s world famous native boat racing happens in the coastal town of Alappuzha, with fun and raucous festivals to kick off the racing season.

Onam Festival: Kerala’s biggest event is its harvest festival, with long processions and amazing cultural performances all over Trivandrum and every other town in the region.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race: the final traditional boat race of the season is a big deal and well worth checking out if you’re able to get over to Alappuzha.

Neelemperur Padayani: this annual festival showcases padayani, an ancient form of ritual dance, where performers wear massive headdresses and dance to the rhythm of chenda drums, cymbals and passionate singing.

Vetta: to honour Lord Krishna, sacred images are carried to the Arabian Sea and ritually washed in the waters by members of the royal family. The statues are then carried back to Padmanabhaswamy Temple where an all-night Kathakali dance highlights a number of cultural performances.

Arattu Festival: this colourful festival runs for 10 days at the city’s Janardhana Swami Temple as thousands of devotees celebrate with silk-laden elephant processions and other spectacles.

Christmas: Trivandrum’s Christian roots are celebrated in this global event at the city’s many churches.

Cochin Carnival: Fort Cochin transforms into a festive centre of games, competitions and cultural performances over the last week of the year.