Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Kerala Village Adapts Christmas Carols for Onam Celebrations
Onam is a big festival celebrated across Kerala.
In Valayanchirangara, people celebrate it in a special way.
Groups of villagers walk from house to house and sing Onam songs.
This tradition is modeled on Christmas caroling in the area.
Instead of Santa Claus, a person dressed as King Mahabali leads the group.
About 60 people of different ages join the singing each evening.
The visits happen during the nine evenings before Thiruvonam.
Families come outside, welcome the singers, and offer them food or small donations.
Valayanchirangara village in Kerala celebrates Onam with door-to-door “Onacarols.”
The tradition adapts local Christmas caroling customs for the harvest festival.
A troupe of about 60 villagers performs Onappattukal each evening from Atham to Uthradam.
An actor dressed as King Mahabali leads the procession and blesses families.
Residents welcome the singers with snacks, sweets, and modest monetary donations.
- Who
- About 60 villagers, including children, senior citizens, workers, students, and professionals, take part, led by an actor portraying King Mahabali.
- What
- The village celebrates Onam with door-to-door “Onacarols,” featuring performances of traditional Onappattukal.
- When
- Onacarols take place over the nine evenings from Atham through Uthradam, between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
- Where
- Valayanchirangara, near Perumbavoor in Kerala’s Ernakulam district.
- Why
- The community has adapted the local Christmas caroling format as a way to celebrate Onam and bring residents together.
- Festival
- Onam
- Location
- Valayanchirangara, near Perumbavoor, Ernakulam district, Kerala
- Tradition
- Door-to-door Onam caroling, known as “Onacarols”
- Duration
- Nine evenings, from Atham to Uthradam
- Performance time
- 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM each evening
- Participants
- A troupe of around 60 villagers
- Leader
- An actor dressed as King Mahabali