Onam celebrations: Pookalam

PD Photos: Pookalam (floral mosaic or floral carpet), an artistic floral mosaic created on the front courtyard of homes and buildings in Kerala during the annual Onam celebrations.

Thiruvathira Kali during Onam celebrations

Photo: Students of College of Engineering Chengannur (CEC), affiliated to the Cochin University of Science and Technology, performing Thiruvathira Kali as a part of the Onam celebrations. Thiruvathira Kali is a dance form of Kerala, photo by Arunanand T A.

Onam is the grandest festival celebrated in Kerala, India, as well as Malayali people settled or working in all parts of the world, in the month of Chingam (Malayalam calendar) may fall August-September. It is symbolic of the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, who once ruled his kingdom, which was the most prosperous and the happiest according to legends. The festival lasts for four or more days and it is an occasion to highlight and re-enact Kerala's culture and tradition, and among many other things include snake boat races (Vallam Kali) and perform dances like Thiruvathira Kali, Kaikottikkali, Thumbi Tullal, Kummattikali, Kathakali, Pulikali (Kaduvakali), etc.

Sculpture by Kanai Kunhiraman at Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Photo: Sculpture by Kanai Kunhiraman at Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Shankumugham Beach is a beautiful beach on the western side of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) city, adjacent to Trivandrum International Airport, in Kerala, India. There is a vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere away from the crowd in the city that attracts a lot of visitors, both local people and tourists, as it is one of the cleanest beaches in India.

Vasco da Gama lands at Calicut on May 20, 1498

Photo: Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama lands at Calicut (in Kerala, India) on May 20, 1498; photographic reproduction of painting (1880-01) by Ernesto Casanova (born 1845, year of death unknown). Source: US Library of Congress; Illustration for ‘Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões’, 1880 edition).