Onam Celebrations Pick up at Thiruvananthapuram

Last evening I see quite a bit of picking up of celebrations, albeit only around the main venue of Nishagandhi.

Having nothing special to do, I've gone out last evening with a neighbor, who wanted to purchase a new mobile phone. A break came, when spotted the illumination works on either side of MG road.

I never cease to amaze at the acrobatic skills of these guys who ride bikes and cars, literally horizontal to the ground, in a 'well of death'. Like in the previous years, this year too had one such 'well' on the ground before Kanakakkunnu palace.

The well is built up from ground to a height of about 30 ft. Onlookers have to climb that height to enjoy a glimpse of the acrobatic skills. I feel the stand trembling and a whiff of wind reaching my face, as the motorcycles move past me, at a height about my waist line. The only separation between the onlookers and the rubber side of the bike is a three inch wooden wall.

Some feel terrorized at the sight, wind and the feeling of the whole well trembling, while others thoroughly enjoy the skills.

The young men (and a woman on a motorcycle) never seem to care. They make their way, with hands off of the handle bar and steering, while moving at fast pace over the walls of the well. The motorcycles overtake the cars several times.

The museum compound is fully illuminated, but photographing the illumination works was a disaster. Official ONAM celebrations begins only today (Aug 24), and variety of programs like Ghazals, dance programs, music events are expected at various venues like Poojappura Ground, Shankumukham, Neyyar Dam and in the main venue of Nishagandhi.

I post a few photographs I have taken from the MG road, Napier Museum compound and Kanakakkunnu palace ground.