Children, dressed in classical dance costumes, participate in the Athachamayam procession marking the beginning of Onam festival in Kochi, southern Kerala state, India, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. (AP Photo / R S Iyer)
Children prepare a floral rangoli, a decorative design made on the occasion of festivals, as part of the Onam festival celebrations at a school in Chennai on August 30. Onam is one of the most important festivals in the southern coastal state in Kerala and is celebrated for 10 days by all religious communities. AFP
A floral rangoli as part of the Onam festival celebrations at a school in Chennai. AFP
A woman holds an umbrella for children waiting to participate in the Athachamayam procession marking the beginning of the Onam festival in Kochi, Kerala, on August 30. AP
Artists dressed up like Hindu deities participate in the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
A mahout (an elephant trainer) mounts an elephant to decorate it for the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
Pulikali or tiger dance artists before the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
The festival celebrates the return of mythical king Mahabali, who was banished by lord Vishnu (or Vamana) to the underworld out of envy for his even-handed rule. AFP
This year, authorities have gone all out to celebrate the festival, which began on August 30. The state government has also announced bonuses for more than 1.3 million people, including government staffers and pensioners. AFP
The festivities come after two years of low-key celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Kerala one of the areas worst affected. AP
Children, dressed in classical dance costumes, participate in the Athachamayam procession marking the beginning of Onam festival in Kochi, southern Kerala state, India, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. (AP Photo / R S Iyer)
Children prepare a floral rangoli, a decorative design made on the occasion of festivals, as part of the Onam festival celebrations at a school in Chennai on August 30. Onam is one of the most important festivals in the southern coastal state in Kerala and is celebrated for 10 days by all religious communities. AFP
A floral rangoli as part of the Onam festival celebrations at a school in Chennai. AFP
A woman holds an umbrella for children waiting to participate in the Athachamayam procession marking the beginning of the Onam festival in Kochi, Kerala, on August 30. AP
Artists dressed up like Hindu deities participate in the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
A mahout (an elephant trainer) mounts an elephant to decorate it for the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
Pulikali or tiger dance artists before the Athachamayam procession in Kochi. AP
The festival celebrates the return of mythical king Mahabali, who was banished by lord Vishnu (or Vamana) to the underworld out of envy for his even-handed rule. AFP
This year, authorities have gone all out to celebrate the festival, which began on August 30. The state government has also announced bonuses for more than 1.3 million people, including government staffers and pensioners. AFP
The festivities come after two years of low-key celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Kerala one of the areas worst affected. AP
Children, dressed in classical dance costumes, participate in the Athachamayam procession marking the beginning of Onam festival in Kochi, southern Kerala state, India, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. (AP Photo / R S Iyer)
