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Kerala
If Rajasthan is the land of colors, Kerala of South India is the land of water.
Natural canals called backwater are developed extensively here.
Every part of people's lives is based on the canals.
The canals are used for transportation.
People wash their clothes in the canal.
The water is also used to brush teeth and wash faces
as well as even cook.
Thanks to the intricate web of natural canals and the mild climate,
the people of Kerala are able to raise four crops a year.
This may be why beggars are rare in Kerala.
After the harvest in August,
the young men gather up in the town's temple.
Let us all gather around to have fun. Pray together to the goddess and let us have fun.
Looks like they're having great fun, doesn't it?
These young men who are clapping to the music have gathered
to celebrate the greatest festival of South India, the Onam Festival.
Townspeople have prepared a hearty meal for them.
It looks like they're going to need a lot of strength for whatever they're doing.
In South India, food is usually served on a banana leaf.
So what do you think they'll do after their big meal?
The biggest boat race is going to take place in this canal.
All of these boats have travelled through these canals to get here.
During Onam Festivals in the past,
incredible amounts of offerings were collected at the temple.
But each time, pirates would loot the goods
and the townspeople had to come up with a defense corps,
consisted of these boats.
Once the boats were on the water to protect the offerings,
people were able to bring them to the gods safely.
The boats all line up at the starting line.
A total of 50 boats raced against each other in this competition.
Each boat is a delegate of their city.
They've waited a whole year for this race.
Since the reputation of their city depends on the result of the race,
these players have been practicing for months.
It's not just about the participants either.
The boat race is an event that emotionally involves everyone in town.
Two boats are speeding towards the finish line.
Finally, one boat comes in first.
Just look at them cheering.
The name of the trophy is Neru.
Neru, who was the first prime minister of India,
fell in love with this race and promoted it to a national competition.
He even personally created this trophy just for this race.
The young men start rowing back home with the golden trophy in their hands.
Matura, Uttar Pradesh
North India, Matura.
At the end of February, the festival to herald the coming of spring has begun.
Holy Festival
This is the scene of the most violent festival in the world, Holy.
An unsuspecting visitor who sets foot in the streets this day
could have a rough time.
Getting hit by paint balls is no big deal.
You could be doused with a bucket of water, too.
Despite the abusive treatment, everyone seems to be having great fun.
The custom of spraying people with herb powder
as a protection against cold viruses right before the beginning of spring
is the origin of this festival.
Paint balls are just the beginning.
In the afternoon, everyone in town gathers at the temple.
This signals the beginning of the most violent and abusive festival.
In the Caste system, members of the lower class
are not allowed to even touch members of the upper class,
but the day of the Holy Festival is the only exception to this rule.
On this day, lower class people are able to throw paint balls at upper class people
and wives who live under the rule of their dominating husbands
are able to hit their men.
Even when their backs turn red from all the beating,
the men seem to be enjoying it all.
After their beating,
the men get back at the women by throwing a bucket filled with dye, but that's it.
Besides, the water in the bucket is
made with herbs, good for preventing cold viruses.
The violent fight is now over and a reconciliation dance begins.
Holy is the one day of the year that people are able to have fun,
regardless of their class or gender.
Once the festival is over, everyone goes back to their everyday lives.
These women, too, will go back to being good wives.