Onam Festival
Onam is the most important of festivals observed in the state of Kerala. It celebrates harvest. People welcome king Mahabali back from his exile with cleaned houses, flower arrangements, music, dance, and festive mood. A special feature are the boat races held in the backwaters, most famous of which are held in Alleppey, Aranmula and Kottayam towns. Elephant processions and community singing constitute other celebrations of the Onam festival.