India,
the country, where culture echoes, traditions speak and diversity
delights is a land of magnificent monuments and where Taj Mahal,
is only one of the historical wonders. India, the land of culture
and heritage.
Onam
is Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is primarily
a harvest festival celebrated to welcome the spirit of the pious King Mahabali
from eternal exile and to assure him that his people are happy and wish him
well.
At trichur, caparisoned, elephants take part in a spectacular procession. There
is also a maginificent display of fireworks. At Shoranur, appreciative crowds
gather on the green where colourfully dressed Kathakali dancers re-enact the
well-loved stories of the epic heroes and virtuous women.
On the second day of the festival, every home is lit bright and decorated in
preparation for the visit of King Mahabali. Greetings are exchanged and lengths
of auspicious saffron cloth are presented by friends to one another. The Vallumkali
(boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam, and is best seen at Aranmulai
and Kottayam.
About a hundred oarsmen row huge and graceful odee (boats). Oars dip and flash
to the rhythum of drums and cymbals in each boat. The songs are generally topical
in character and concern people well known in Malabar. Above each boat gleam
scarlet silk umbrellas, their number denotes the affluence of the family owning
the boat. Gold coins and tassels hang from the umbrellas.
Onam
is Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is primarily
a harvest festival celebrated to welcome the spirit of the pious King Mahabali
from eternal exile and to assure him that his people are happy and wish him
well. 
