Festive colours

Floral design competition organised during Onam

Floral carpet designs laid out in most houses in Kerala, India, herald the beginning of Onam festivities in the state.

Groups of women lay the designs, known as pookkalam, part by part so that they get completed at the end of ten days of the festivities. Though traditionally circular in shape, there is no limit on the size of the designs.

A variety of flowers are used to make the designs, reflecting the spirit of joy and celebration. These floral decorations are not limited to individual houses. State-wide competitions are held at various institutions.

Keralite communities all over the Gulf also celebrate Onam in their own way by arranging competitions in a wide range of cultural activities, including pookkalam. However, owing to the scarcity of fresh flowers in the region, most of the carpet designs are done using coloured coconut powder.