People across India celebrate Onam festival with enthusiasm

The festival of Onam is celebrated in Kerala, in South India, and by Malayalam speaking people all over the world.

People pay tribute to former President the late APJ Abdul Kalam as they make a floral rangoli ‘pookalam’ to celebrate Onam festival in Thane, Mumbai on Thursday (August 27). (Source: Photo by PTI)

In Kerala, Onam is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc.

Men dressed to play Puli Kali in the Atham procession held in the old royal town of Thrippunithura in Kochi, on Wednesday (August 26). Atham marks the beginning of the famous Onam Festival of Kerala. (Source: Photo by PTI)

The ten day Onam festival is considered to be flagged off with Atthachamayam in Thrippunithura. The parade is colourful and depicts all the elements of Kerala culture with more than 50 floats and 100 tableaux.

Men and elephants lined up in the Atham procession held in the old royal town of Thrippunithura near Kochi on Wednesday (August 26). (Source: Photo by PTI)

The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most important ones are the first day, Atham, and the tenth and final day, Thiru-Onam (Thiruvonam).

Experts perform Kalari Payattu as part of Onam celebrations in Kozhikode on Thursday (August 27). (Source: Photo by PTI)

Students celebrate Onam festival at their School campus, in Chennai on Thursday (August 27). (Source: Photo by PTI)

College students taking selfie during the celebration of Onam festival at their College campus in Chennai on Wednesday (August 26). (Source: Photo by PTI)

The floral carpet, known as ‘Onapookkalam’, is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. It is considered a work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending.

College students celebrate Onam festival by decorating "Pookalam" at their College campus in Chennai on Wednesday (August 26). (Source: Photo by PTI)

Students celebrate Onam festival by making floral rangoli ‘pookalam’ at a public school, in Ranchi on Thursday (August 27). (Source: Photo by PTI)

Keralites decorate a huge floral Rangoli during Onam celebrations in Bhopal on Sunday (August 23). (Source: Photo by PTI)

Women make a floral rangoli "Pookalam" on the occasion of Onam festival in Coimbatore on Friday (August 28). (Source: Photo by PTI)