Onam day 5 Anizham - Celebrations

Onam day 5 Anizham - Celebrations












The fifth day of Onam Celebrations, Snake Boats get ready to run in the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali. The  Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali is one of the most significant day in the Onam days as it kicks off the great Vallam Kali (Snake boat) at many parts of Kerala. A mock Vallam Kali is conducted on this day at Aranmula as a dress-rehearsal for the famed Aranmula boat race which will be held after Onam on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmulla. 

A big number of long snake like boats called chundan vallams participate in Vallamkali. Each attractively festooned boat is roared by hundreds of roars men dressed in the traditional dhoti and turban. Boats are roared on the rhythm of vanchipattu or boat songs. Vallamkali is essentially a team event as a single error by an roarsman can lead to the overturning of the boat.

In the front of every house, more flowers are added to the Pookalam laid in the front court of the home. Women become really busy making arrangements for Thiruonam and a general air of excitement prevail at this time in Kerala