As the evening light fades over a Kerala village, a familiar festive scene unfolds. People step out of their homes, children gather around, and the sound of singing and drums fills the streets. But there is an unexpected figure at the centre of this celebration — Mahabali, the beloved king of Onam, leading a cheerful group from one home to another.
It may look a little like Christmas carolling, but there is no Santa here. This is Onam celebrated in a rather unique way in Valayanchirangara, a village near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district.
Festivals have a way of bringing people together, often creating traditions that are as much about community as they are about rituals. Across Kerala, Onam is marked by pookalams, traditional feasts, songs and the enduring story of King Mahabali.
But in this village, the celebrations have taken a particularly joyful turn: for eight evenings, residents go from house to house singing Onam carols, with Mahabali joining the procession. And this unusual tradition has been bringing the village together for nearly four decades.
When Mahabali comes calling
In Valayanchirangara, Onam celebrations include an unusual procession in which a group of villagers travels from one home to another, singing Onam songs. At the centre of it all is Mahabali, the mythical king at the heart of the festival.
At the heart of the procession, Mahabali leads villagers from home to home, keeping alive the spirit of Onam through songs, blessings and togetherness. Photograph: (The News Minute)
It is almost like Christmas carolling — only Santa is replaced by Mahabali.
The tradition began several decades ago. According to local accounts, the idea was formally suggested in 1985 by members of the village’s cultural community, with the aim of taking the message and spirit of Onam to every household. It was later organised by local groups including Suvarna Theatres, the Olympic Sports Club and the V N Keshavanpilla Memorial Library.
Eight evenings of songs and celebrations
The Onam carol procession begins on Atham, the first day of the traditional Onam celebrations, and winds its way through different parts of the village over eight days.
Each evening, the group sets out around 6.30 pm, accompanied by singers and drummers. A different person takes on the role of Mahabali each day as the procession visits homes across the village’s different regions.
From Atham onwards, villagers spend eight evenings singing and drumming through the village, with families welcoming them with food and festive cheer. Photograph: (Iris Holidays)
At every house, the group sings Onam songs while Mahabali blesses the children. In return, families offer the performers snacks, sweets and contributions. The day ends with dinner hosted for the group at the final home they visit.
And this is no small neighbourhood gathering. The tradition brings together people across generations — from young children to senior citizens — with participation from people belonging to different professions and walks of life.
A tradition that keeps growing
What makes the celebration even more special is how the village has allowed the tradition to evolve with time.
Women have also begun taking on the role of Mahabali, with a dedicated day for women participants introduced into the celebration. The procession has also attracted people from neighbouring villages who come to join in the festivities.
The younger generation, too, has embraced the tradition. Weeks before the celebrations, Onam carol songs are circulated through WhatsApp groups so participants can prepare and sing together.
With women taking on the role of Mahabali and younger residents learning songs through WhatsApp, the tradition continues to evolve. Photograph: (Kerala Tourism & Travel Earth)
There have been difficult years when the tradition had to pause — including during the Kerala floods in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic — but the community has continued to bring it back.
Perhaps that is the real charm of Valayanchirangara’s Onam carols. Festivals are not just about rituals that are passed down unchanged. Sometimes, they become more meaningful when an entire community adds its own little touch — turning a familiar celebration into something uniquely theirs.
And in this Kerala village, Onam arrives not just with pookalams and sadya, but with songs at the doorstep, Mahabali in the middle of the crowd, and an entire village celebrating together.
