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Onam
(Kerala)
Is a harvest festival
celebrated to welcome the spirit of the King Mahabali from eternal
exile. At Trichur, caparisoned elephants take part in a spectacular
procession. At Shoranur, the Kathakali dancers re-enact the stories
of the epic heroes and virtuous women. On the second day of the
festival. every home is lit bright and decorated. 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).In the evenings, pretty girls perform the
Kyekottikali (the clapping dance) in the open, dancing around the
traditional brass lamp.
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