Onam Festival in Kerala

Onam

Onam, Kerala's most important festival, heralds the harvest season. It is celebrated in the month of September and brings ten days of prayers, feasting, and song and dance to the state. One the second day of the festival, every home is decorated and brightly lit. Friends exchange greetings and present each other with lengths of auspicious saffron cloth.

According to legend, Onam is considered to be the day when King Mahabali comes from exile to visit his beloved people. At Trichur (Thrissur), caparisoned elephants take part in a spectacular procession. This is followed by a magnificent display of fireworks. Major attractions of Onam are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen in each boat row huge and graceful odee (snake boats) to the rhythm of drums, cymbals and songs praising Mahabali's reign. In the evening, cultural festivities are held throughout the state with displays of the famed Kathakali, Kaikottikkali (the clapping dance), and Mohiniattam dances.