Onam - the state festival of Kerala - falls on the Malayalam month of ...

<strong>Onam</strong> - <strong>the</strong> <strong>state</strong> <strong>festival</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kerala</strong> - <strong>falls</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Malayalam month <strong>of</strong> Chingam, every year (this year falling on 02 September
2009); it is a four day carnival celebrating <strong>the</strong> annual harvest. According to legend Mahabali, <strong>the</strong> legendary King <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kerala</strong>,
visits <strong>the</strong> <strong>state</strong> every year on <strong>the</strong> first day <strong>of</strong> <strong>Onam</strong>, to ensure <strong>the</strong> wellbeing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people. He is welcomed to his kingdom with
reverence homes are spruced up and intricate decorations with 'rangolis' (designs with coloured powders) and 'pookkalam'
(designs with flowers petals) and festivities start with Maveli Puja or prayer to Mahabali, celebrations continue over <strong>the</strong> next
few days in form <strong>of</strong> Pulikali or Tiger dance processions and Vallamkali or boat races. Location – Thiruvanthapuram
Pulikali (Tiger dance) (this year falling on 04 September 2009) artists perform <strong>the</strong> centuries old folk dance many teams from
different municipalities and villages take part in <strong>the</strong> event. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team has 61 members, <strong>the</strong>y paint <strong>the</strong>ir bodies
<strong>the</strong>mselves in likeness <strong>of</strong> tigers and wear tiger mask. They dance and pounce like a tiger hunting. The tigers dance to <strong>the</strong>
accompanying drummer and are also chased by a designated hunter. The dance celebrates <strong>the</strong> might & courage <strong>of</strong> a forest
tiger. Location – Thrissur.
Aranmula Boat race based around <strong>the</strong> 1700 hundred years old Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy temple on <strong>the</strong> river Pampa is
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Onam</strong> celebrations. Like all temple <strong>festival</strong>s this too is elaborate and earlier comprised only <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> boat procession
around <strong>the</strong> temple, over <strong>the</strong> centuries <strong>the</strong> boats-men started competing with each o<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong> boat races came into
existence. Keeping with tradition only men <strong>of</strong> local villages are allowed in <strong>the</strong> boat, slippers and modern clothing are not
allowed. Participants are only allowed to wear a traditional white mundu & head turban while on board. On <strong>the</strong> fourth day after
<strong>Onam</strong> (this year falling on 06 September 2009) <strong>the</strong> ga<strong>the</strong>red boat-men take out a boat procession in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> temple and in
<strong>the</strong> afternoon <strong>the</strong>y compete with each o<strong>the</strong>r in boat races. Location – Aranmula.
We invite you to participate in <strong>the</strong> joys & celebrations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people with <strong>the</strong>m, visit <strong>the</strong>ir homes and hearths as <strong>the</strong>ir guests &
join <strong>the</strong>m in welcoming <strong>the</strong> return <strong>of</strong> a King who lived long long ago.

Suggested Itinerary
DAY 01, Tuesday, 01 Sep’09: Arrive TRIVANDRUM
Arrive at Trivandrum International airport; transfer to <strong>the</strong> hotel by our local representative, Thiruvananthapuram, previously
called Trivandrum, is an ancient city dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became <strong>the</strong>
capital <strong>of</strong> Raja <strong>of</strong> Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram', <strong>the</strong> abode <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Sacred serpent Ananta, upon whose coils Vishnu lies in <strong>the</strong> main temple. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> many
reasons due to which <strong>the</strong> city is <strong>the</strong> Capital <strong>of</strong> modern <strong>state</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kerala</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Indian Republic. The
day is at leisure in order to get ready for <strong>the</strong> evening <strong>Onam</strong> Celebration at Kanakakkunnu Palace
with various cultural performances. Later return to <strong>the</strong> hotel for over-night stay.
DAY 02, Wednesday, 02 Sep’09: IN TRIVANDRUM
After breakfast this morning start <strong>the</strong> city tour <strong>of</strong> Trivandrum, witness <strong>the</strong> celebrations in and around <strong>the</strong> Padmanabhaswamy
temple and rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city Later in <strong>the</strong> afternoon drive to a nearby village participate in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Onam</strong> celebration & feast with
<strong>the</strong>m, later return to <strong>the</strong> hotel for over-night stay.
Day 3, Thursday, 03 Sep’09: TRIVNDRUM - TRISSUR
After an breakfast drive to Trissur (290kms / 8 hours drive), take frequent pit-stops & photo stops
to soak in <strong>the</strong> green & lush country side <strong>of</strong> God’s own country, upon arrival check-in at <strong>the</strong> hotel
with rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day is at leisure. Stay overnight at <strong>the</strong> hotel.
Day 4, Friday, 04 Sep’09: IN TRISSUR
After breakfast <strong>the</strong> day is at leisure to explore this small temple town on your own , later in <strong>the</strong>
afternoon arrive at <strong>the</strong> Swaraj Ground see <strong>the</strong> "Pulikali" or Tiger Dance, <strong>the</strong> adventurous can
even have tiger stripes painted on <strong>the</strong>ir faces to join in with <strong>the</strong> spirit <strong>of</strong> fun & festivity, for <strong>the</strong> less
adventurous masks are always available. Later return to <strong>the</strong> hotel for overnight stay.
Day 5, Saturday, 05 Sep’09: TRISSUR – KOCHI
After breakfast drive to Kochi (80 Kms / 2hour drive), with its wealth <strong>of</strong> historical associations and its beautiful setting on a
cluster <strong>of</strong> islands and narrow peninsulas, <strong>the</strong> fascinating city <strong>of</strong> Cochin perfectly reflects <strong>the</strong> eclecticism <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kerala</strong>. Previously
named Cochin, it boasts <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> finest natural harbours on <strong>the</strong> Arabian Sea coast and has been a port <strong>of</strong> call for foreign
traders from very early times. Upon arrival check in to <strong>the</strong> hotel and start <strong>the</strong> city tour after a wash & change. This evening is
reserved for a Kathakali dance show, later return to <strong>the</strong> hotel for overnight stay
Day 6, Sunday, 06 Sep’09: KOCHI – ARANMULA VILLAGE – KOVALAM BEACH
After breakfast transfer to Aranmula Village (132kms / 04 hours drive), Enroute take a pit-stop at
Chenganacherry Town, here one can immerse oneself in <strong>the</strong> rural setting. Later continue
onwards to Aranmula. Aranmula is not only <strong>the</strong> birthplace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tradition <strong>of</strong> boat races in <strong>Kerala</strong>
but also <strong>the</strong> place from where <strong>the</strong> war boats <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kerala</strong> took birth and became established in <strong>the</strong>
backwaters. Witness <strong>the</strong> boat race which started it all. Later drive to Kovalam Beach (130kms /
03 hours drive). Upon arrival check-in to <strong>the</strong> resort for overnight stay
Day 7, Monday, 07 Sep’09: IN KOVALAM
After breakfast <strong>the</strong> day is free to relax at <strong>the</strong> beach or indulge in an Ayurveda treatment at <strong>the</strong> resort on your own. Overnight
stay at <strong>the</strong> Resort
Day 8, Tuesday, 08 Sep’09: DEPART TRIVANDRUM
Early morning departure transfer to Trivandrum international airport for flight back home.