Kerala Village Caroling with Mahabali for 40 Years

For nearly four decades, residents of a small Kerala village have been celebrating Onam in a way you won't find anywhere else. Picture Christmas caroling, but instead of Santa, it's King Mahabali leading the procession.

In Valayanchirangara, a village near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, Onam isn't just about flower carpets and feasts. Starting on Atham, the first day of the festival, groups of singers and drummers travel from house to house for eight consecutive evenings, with someone dressed as the mythical king Mahabali at the center of it all.

The tradition started in 1985 when local cultural groups wanted to bring the spirit of Onam directly to every household. Local organizations including Suvarna Theatres, the Olympic Sports Club, and the V N Keshavanpilla Memorial Library helped turn the idea into reality.

Each evening around 6:30 pm, the procession sets out through different parts of the village. At every home, the group sings traditional Onam songs while Mahabali blesses the children, and families offer snacks, sweets, and contributions in return.

The final house visited each night hosts dinner for the entire group. It's not a small gathering either—people of all ages and professions join in, from young children to senior citizens.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this tradition especially meaningful is how it has grown and adapted over time. Women now take on the role of Mahabali, with a dedicated day for female participants built into the celebration.

Young people have embraced the custom too, circulating Onam carol songs through WhatsApp groups weeks before the festival so everyone can learn and sing together. Even residents from neighboring villages come to join the festivities.

There were tough years when the tradition had to pause, including during the 2018 Kerala floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. But each time, the community brought it back.

The tradition shows how festivals can evolve while keeping their heart intact. Valayanchirangara has added its own creative touch to Onam, transforming a familiar celebration into something that belongs uniquely to them while pulling everyone closer together.

Now in this Kerala village, Onam arrives with songs at every doorstep, Mahabali in the crowd, and an entire community celebrating as one.