Kerala Observes Ramayana Month Tradition

In Kerala, India, people celebrate Ramayana Month during Karkidakam, the last month of the Malayalam calendar.

This year, it started on July 17 and ends on August 16.

Families and temples read the Ramayana, especially the Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu, a Malayalam version by Thunchath Ezhuthachan.

They gather around a brass lamp called nilavilakku and read parts of the epic every day.

This tradition was started by P. Parameswaran in the 1970s to turn a difficult monsoon month into a sacred time.

People also visit temples and follow Ayurvedic therapies.

Kerala's governor wished everyone well during this month.