Onam

Onam runs over ten days, with households creating pookalam — intricate flower carpets at the entrance — and a highlight on the main day of Thiruvonam. The vallam kali (snake-boat races) on the backwaters, particularly the Nehru Trophy race at Alleppey, and the multi-course Onam sadya feast served on a banana leaf are the festival's best-known features for visitors.

Alleppey's Nehru Trophy snake-boat race is the single most spectator-friendly Onam event for a visitor, drawing large crowds along the backwater race course. Kochi and towns across Kerala also put on public celebrations and markets.

Onam is timed to the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, with the main day (Thiruvonam) typically falling in August or September on the Gregorian calendar, shifting slightly each year. (confirmed on enquiry)