Onam festivities and Uppalam Vs Pookkalam

Trivandrum is in the grip of ONAM fever. The City is really vibrant in preparing for the ONAM and the celebrations following (Tourism Week).
Onappookkalam (Flower arrangements) is a common sight even at road side. But... a thing to note is that these Onappookalams are not really pookkalam. They are "Uppalam". Yeah... the decorations are with common salt , and not flowers ! Flowers are very very costly. Salt is the cheapest among all materials. Buy some salt, add some synthetic color powders, and do the floral arrangement. That makes it UPPALAM... and not  POOKKALAM !

Look here ...

An "UPPALAM"  in front of a shop in the city.