During Onam, Kerala's biggest

celebration, Keralites create

pookkalam (floral carpet) designs
in front of their houses.
Thrissur Pooram festival
A mohiniattam performance
The annual snake boat race is
performed during Onam
Celebrations on the Pamba River
Onam (Malayalam: ) is a harvest festival celebrated by the people
of Kerala, India.[1] It is also the state festival of Kerala with State holidays
on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 4th Onam Day.
Onam Festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep)
and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Vishnu and the
subsequent homecoming of King Mahabali. Onam is reminiscent of
Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.
The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and
marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees
consider as their King. It is one of the festivals celebrated with most
number of cultural elements. Some of them are Vallam Kali, Pulikkali,
Pookkalam, Onatthappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula,
Onapottan,[2] Atthachamayam etc.
Temple Festivals
Kerala has a large number of Hindu temples. Many of the temples have
unique traditions and most hold festivals on specific days of the year.
Temple festivals usually continue for a number of days. A common characteristic of these festivals is the hoisting of
a holy flag which is then brought down only on the final day of the festival. Some festivals include Poorams, the
most famous of these being the Thrissur Pooram. Temples that can afford it will usually involve at least one richly
caparisoned elephant as part of the festivities. The idol of the God in the temple is taken out on a procession
around the country side atop this elephant. When the procession visits homes around the temple, people will
usually present rice, coconuts, and other offerings to the God. Processions often include traditional music such as
Panchari melam or Panchavadyam.
.
The major Hindu temple festivals in the state are Makaravilakku at Sabarimala, Nenmara Vallangi Vela, Thrissur Pooram, Attukal Pongala in
Trivandrum's famous Attukal Temple, Vrishchikotsavam in Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa temple, Utsavams in Padmanabha swami temple at
Trivandrum, Ashtami at Vaikom temple, Kodungalloor Bharani, Chettikulangara Bharani at Mavelikkara, Guruvayoor Anayottam, Chottanikkara
Makam and Sivarathri festival in Aluva temple, Maradu Thalappoli at Maradu.
Dance