Kerala is all shades of festivity during Onam, and there are many spots to capture captivating photographs if that's how you enjoy your trips. Here are the spots you should include in your itinerary.
Pulikali, aka tiger dance show, features performers painted as tigers moving to the vibrant traditional music of Kerala. Head to Thrissur on September 15, Onam day, to capture pulikali pictures. Kannur's Chirakkal, Thrissur's Kallettumkara, Kozhikode's Vadakara and Punnamada in Alappuzha are a few other places where it's held on various dates in the Onam season.
The most popular snake boat race, locally known as 'vallamkali,' is held at the Punnamade Lake of Alappuzha on September 28. Other smaller races, with their dates to be announced later, are also held.
In the days leading up to Onam, schools, colleges, and various offices and shops will lay out giant pookkalams on their premises. A giant floral carpet is generally made in front of the Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur for Onam, and it attracts many Onam enthusiasts.
In this temple dedicated to Mahavishnu's avatar Vamana, you can capture the vibrant Pulikali performances and the elaborate flower carpets this season. A grand Onam sadya served on banana leaves, and traditional prayers also provide a tapestry of cultural and culinary visuals for your photographs.
It's a dance performed to honour the mythical King Mahabali, who is commemorated for Onam. To click its colourful pictures, head to Thrissur's Kizhakkumpattukara on the third day of Onam. This year, they perform with wooden masks to add colour to the proceedings.