Anizham is the fifth day of grand Onam celebration. The Anizham day falls in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar. In 2022, Anizham Onam date is September 3.
This day is one of the important days of Onam festival. On this day, Vallamkali is held in a grand manner. Vallamkali means snake boat race. This race is organized on the banks of Pamba River in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala in a village named as Aranmulla. This particular event attracts large number of foreign and domestic tourists. Even people from the nook and corner of the country plus native villagers participate in this grand event.
Snake boat race event has found place in the International tourists map so it pulls large number of foreign tourist from different continent to witness the race. More flowers are added to the floral carpet in the households. All the family members try their level best in order to attempt to make the floral carpet look even more beautiful than the previous days. The enthusiasm and excitement among the family member’s increases as there are only four days totally left for the grand celebration. One can largely witness the degree of participation increasing in the people.
A mock snake boat race is also conducted by the organizers at Arunmulla. It is seen as the dress-rehearsal for the famed Aranmula boat race that is actually conducted after Onam in a grand manner. The women folks in the household mix once the pickle in the jar so that the spices and salt gets added to the main ingredients. The flour plus jaggery or sugar is mixed for a fine drought in order to make sweet the next day.