Your Onam PICS: King Mahabali, Pookalam and more

We'd asked you, our readers to share your Onam pictures and tell us how you celebrate the festival. Here's the first set of responses.

Apurva Kulkarni sent us this photograph of a group of women participating in the chenda mela.

The percussion instrument is a played by trained artists on all festive occasions in Kerala, and this one, was particularly clicked during Onam last year in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

Reader Invite

What does Onam mean to you? Do you make a pookalam outside your house or you invite your friends for Onasadhya?

We want you to send us your Onam pictures to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: Onam Pics) and tell us how you celebrate the festival. We will feature the best responses right here on Rediff.com.

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This photograph by Kulkarni is of an artist who was dressed like King Mahabali as part of Onam celebrations in the district.

The third photograph Kulkarni shared is of a Kathakali artist who performed as part of Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in 2012.

During the ten-day long festival, several artistes in colourful costumes perform dances and stunts to amuse children.

This photograph by Kulkarni captures another artiste dressed in a fancy attire and multi-coloured head gear.

Pookalams (flower carpet) are an attractive feature of this festival.

Benny Antony from Mumbai sent us this photograph of a colourful Pookalam clicked by him.

Anthony wrote that the the pictures were clicked at Birla Kerala Vaidyashala Centres in Powai and Thane.

Reader Invite

Have you sent us your Onam pictures?

What are you waiting for? Send us your colourful Onam pictures to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: Onam Pics) and tell us how you celebrate the festival. We will feature the best responses right here on Rediff.com.