Onam is Kerala's most popular and most important festival, Onam is a harvest festival celebrated throughout Kerala for four days. 

According to legend, it is on the first day that the good Asura King Mahabali who once ruled Kerala, comes from exile to visit his beloved people. Homes are adorned with floral decorations in preparation for his visit.

The festival is marked with elephant processions, Kathakali dances, Fireworks, water carnivals and Vallamkali, the famous Snake Boat Race. Special feasts prepared for Onam are not to be missed.

Alleppey really comes alive in the depths of the rainy season, when it serves as the venue for one of Kerala's major spectacles- the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race - with raised sterns designed to resemble the hood of a cobra. Each boat is powered by upto 150 singing and shouting oarsmen. This day Alleppey is packed with thousands of spectators.

Other events at Payippad and Aranmula also display the strength and rhythm of Oarsmen who set the Backwaters of Kerala on fire.

Thirty caparisoned elephants decorated with gold ornaments, each ridden by three Brahmins holding objects symbolizing royalty including colourful umbrellas take part in the spectecular procession. There is also a magnificant display of fireworks.

At Shoranur, appreciative crowds gather on the green where colourfully dressed Kathakali dancers re-enact the well-loved stories of epic heroes and virtuous women.