Women during a traditional dance in Thiruvananthapuram
For Malayalis across the world, the beautiful harvest festival of Onam is a time to revisit their state from wherever they may be to be with their loved ones.
This year, seen celebrating along with the Malayalis, were a bunch of CRPF women officers from Bihar and Rajasthan who were posted in the state capital. Dressed in traditional attires of red and white saris with glittering gold, they engaged themselves making floral carpets and enjoying the flavour of the season.
For them, the colors are a way of forgetting their everyday life of carrying guns.
"This is our way of reminding people that we are not only rough and tough, protecting the country but also that we have our delicate sides too," said Swapna Ajay, who leads a team of excited officers' wives and jawans.
Across the state, people celebrate the festival in great fervour and zeal in honor of their beloved fictional king Mahabali who is said to make an annual trip to the state during Onam. Songs can be heard from households in the early morning with the women-folk bent on chopping vegetables to get them ready for the traditional afternoon spread served on banana leaves.
For 78-year-old Srikanthan Nair, there is no bigger joy than seeing his children and grand-children come together for the traditional meal.
Sitting with his 4 grandchildren, the youngest a year old, Mr Nair is busy explaining to them about Onam. "During King Mahabali's time in Kerala, everyone whether rich or poor, irrespective of differences, would have a meal together. Everyone was united. We celebrate Onam remembering him welcoming him every year."
It was that spirit of unity irrespective of caste, religion and creed that reflected in the state as people came together to wish each other a happy Onam.