Anandapalli,
a tiny village near Adoor in Pathanamthitta
district is famous for its annual Maramadi festival, an ox race carnival,
commonly held in the villages of Kerala during the harvest season (August-
September).
Vast stretches of freshly ploughed paddy fields (kandams) form the
stadium for the race. Excited villagers crowd around the stadium to cheer
the participants.
A pair of oxen managed by three persons form a participating unit. Nearly
30 such units participate in the race, which starts at noon and continues
up to dusk.