Onam Festival India

Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala and welcomes the spirit of a great king, and guarantee him that his people are happy and wish him well.

Onam is celebrated all Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Kerala celebrates Onam year after year. Legend says that the Gods schemed against Mahabali to end his reign. For which they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a Brahmin. But before the King being compressed down, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish which was to visit his land and people once every year.

People lay a flower carpet called Pookalam in front of every house to welcome the arrival of the defeated king. The stone mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the courtyards. Traditional rituals are completed followed by a lavish feast called Sadhya. People buy new clothes for their family in Onam; make lavish home-cooked delicacies on plantain leaf.

Onam is famous for its Vallamkali or boat races of Kottayam. Hundreds of people line up traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These are long Snake Boats that resemble the raised hood of a cobra. There are Odis which is the small and swift prowling crafts decorated with gold tasseled silk umbrellas. And the race is done between the villages.

Thousands of people crowd the banks to cheer and watch the breathtaking race.