Take a look at celebrations of Onam from down south!
Celebrating the home-coming of the mythical demon King Mahabali, Onam can easily be hailed as the biggest festival of the Kerala. It is celebrated with a number of activities like Vallam Kali (traditional boat race), PuliKali (customary play in body-suits of tigers and leopards) and tug-of-war, among others.
In 2016, the grandiose is no less, if not more than before. Exhilarating regatta at Allepey to elephant procession at Kochi - here are some enchanting photographs of the celebration.
1. Elephant procession at Kochi
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Elephants in a procession in connection with Onam celebrations at Thrikkakkara Temple in Kochi. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
2. Rangoli
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Women make floral rangoli on the occasion of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
3. Veneration
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Devotees light up candles on the occasion of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
4. Pray
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Devotees offer prayers on the occasion of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
5. Pamba river, Allepey
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Oarsmen row a serpentine boat in unison as they compete in the Mahatma Boat Race at Pamba River, ahead of Onam celebrations at Chengannur, near the Allepey district of southern Kerala. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
6. Vallam Kali
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Vallam Kali or the canoe race is an integral part of the celebration of Onam. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
7. In curriculum
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College students celebrate Onam festival at their College campus in Chennai. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
8. In Onam spirit
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Girls enjoy on a swing during the Celebration of Onam Festival in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
