Onam is a 10-day tableau of song, dance and family reunions providing a grand finale to the rains. Like Christians flock home for Christmas, Malayalis rush home for Onam. On the first day, a clay figure called Onathappan, a representation of Mahabali, is set up in household yards. It is decorated with 10 tiers of flowers, one for each day of the festival, and children replace the faded flowers every morning. On the last day, celebration reaches a climax.
People wear new clothes, exchange gifts and eat sumptuous meals.
At the edge of the Pampa River, near a temple of Lord Vishnu, a boat shaped like Garuda, the bird of Vishnu, lowers its bow in obeisance and is out on the waters. But before these huge boats can begin, a long row of smaller boats gets into the fray. When a boat overturns, the crowd lets out a roar. The winning boat has to touch the other bank first. The trophy is usually silver plated shields and cups.