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 Keralan
festivals are astonishing, not only in the way they are celebrated
but in their sheer number. There are literally hundreds of
temple festivals being held, featuring an array of performing
arts and rituals but Kerala's biggest cultural celebration
is the 10-day Onam, when the entire state celebrates the golden
age of mythical King Mahabali. This is primarily a family
affair, when people travel from all over the state back their
home village. The emphasis is on feasting and decorating the
home, in anticipation of the king's visit. It is an attraction
for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging
from four days to ten days, all the activities during this
season are cantered around worshipping, music, dances, sports,
boat races and good food. It comes in the month of "Chingam"
according to Malayalam calender. People put flower mats in
front of their houses, to welcome the King.
 Onam
is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler
of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of
his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived
in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that
even the God's grew jealous of him, for King Mahabali was
of the race of Demons. New clothes are bought on this day
and people indulge themselves in dances and sports. The children
and the youth join in the mirth of the season and set about
collecting flowers early morning to decorate the yards of
their houses for the ten days of the festival, starting from
Atham to Thiruvonam. At Aranmulla, where there is a temple
dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna, thousands of people
gather on the banks of the river Pamba to witness the exciting
Snake Boat races. Nearly 30 chundan vallams or snake boats
participate in the festival. Owned by villages bordering the
river from the hills to the low lying plains- a stretch of
about 40 kilometres - these boats are steered by oarsmen dressed
in white dhotis and turbans. Singing traditional boat songs,
the oarsmen splash their oars into the water to the rhythm
of the songs. They guide their boats to cruise along, seemingly
like a fish on the move. The golden lace at the head of the
boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the centre make
it a spectacular show of pageantry. Though ostensibly a competitive
event, the festival is more a visual extravaganza.
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