Celebrating Onam 2011

We were in the Indian state of Kerala for the celebration of their holiday, Onam.

According to wikipedia, Onam  is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for ten days. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali (the tiger dance I had previously posted about, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival.

While we were in Kochi, we stayed at Sajhome. Saj and his family were celebrating Onam and I was able to help decorate their pookalam, a flower carpet,  assembled on the sidewalk outside their home.

Have a peak at its construction:

Some pookalam are quite elaborate. Here is the one in lobby of our hotel in Alleppey - that is my daughter and son-in-law in traditional dress.

Outside the Box

I am back from India. It was an amazing trip and I will undoubtedly be sharing my experiences over the next months. I was reminded over and over as I traveled that, for me, India is a grand experience in living outside the box. It pushes and pushes at your preconceptions of reality, your comfort levels, and your endurance. And, the rewards for letting go and just experiencing are immense!

Here is a photo I took near Alleppey of the traditional fishing boats that have been used for hundreds of years - they create a majestic scene. These fishermen have returned from their morning fishing and are pulling the boat up on the sand. It is as big as it looks.

Shortly after I took this photo, we were treated to an impromptu traditional tiger dance by some local kids. We were in Kerala for Onam - the equivilent of a secular Christmas there - and the dance is part of the Onam celebration.

Cast of dancers

Tiger dance

 If you can imagine, the crowd where I was standing was as dense as the crowd that you can see. Did I mention that it was 100% humidity and about 85 or 90°F out? It was a totally unexpected and memorable moment - not your average upstate NY experience!

Hope to share more in the coming days!