Onam is the state festival of Kerala which commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali.
The festival is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September, according to Gregorian Calendar.
The festival, which lasts for ten days, is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival.
The festival is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September, according to Gregorian Calendar.
The festival, which lasts for ten days, is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival.
Onam also marks the beginning of the harvest season.
According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. The tales claim that the state had its golden period during the reign of King Mahabali, who the tales claim was known for his benevolence. His subjects were happy with the king. Onam was marked when the king made an annual visit to see his subjects.
During the festival, Malayalees would prepare to receive Mahabali with various traditional celebrations which include Onapookkalam (floral decoration), Thiruvathirakali, Pulikali and Ona Sadhya, to name a few.
While Onam is a weeklong festival in Kerala marked by cultural shows, shopping and get-togethers, Thiruvonam is the main day to rejoice.
Women woke up early in the morning to make new pookalams outside their house and light lamps in their puja rooms while others got busy in the kitchen to prepare the much-awaited grand feast.
Onam is the largest festival in Kerala and it is the season when the tourist inflow to the state jumps manifold.
Women woke up early in the morning to make new pookalams outside their house and light lamps in their puja rooms while others got busy in the kitchen to prepare the much-awaited grand feast.
Onam is the largest festival in Kerala and it is the season when the tourist inflow to the state jumps manifold.
Schools and colleges are usually shut for the ten-day period.
Onam is marked with varied festivities, including women performing assorted dance performances and men playing musical instruments to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
Since 1961, Onam has been the official festival of the state and is celebrated by all Malayalis irrespective of religion or caste. Locals usually mark the festival by laying out the traditional 26-dish sadhya (feast).
Onam is marked with varied festivities, including women performing assorted dance performances and men playing musical instruments to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
Since 1961, Onam has been the official festival of the state and is celebrated by all Malayalis irrespective of religion or caste. Locals usually mark the festival by laying out the traditional 26-dish sadhya (feast).
The sadhya has to be served on a banana leaf.
The 26-dish traditional lunch would include chips, pappads, various vegetable dishes, a good number of pickles both sweet and sour, the traditional aviyal, sambar, dal curry served along with a small quantity of ghee, rasam, two different preparations of butter milk, a chutney powder made of grated coconut, and many mouth-watering payasams (sweet dishes), some of which were eaten mixed with a ripe plantain.
Over the years, paucity of time has caused many modifications in the traditional meal. Today, few homes go the whole hog and sit down to a 26-dish meal.
The 26-dish traditional lunch would include chips, pappads, various vegetable dishes, a good number of pickles both sweet and sour, the traditional aviyal, sambar, dal curry served along with a small quantity of ghee, rasam, two different preparations of butter milk, a chutney powder made of grated coconut, and many mouth-watering payasams (sweet dishes), some of which were eaten mixed with a ripe plantain.
Over the years, paucity of time has caused many modifications in the traditional meal. Today, few homes go the whole hog and sit down to a 26-dish meal.
Another popular feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the Pamba River, in which decorative boats oared by hundreds of boatmen race amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators and viewers.
There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam.
There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam.
Meanwhile, some also believe that Onam could be India's most secular festival since it is celebrated by people belonging to all religions and castes.
Mythology says that Mahabali was equivalent to Indra and thus was granted the right to visit the land of his time during every Onam. In the Bhagavata Purana, these words are found: 'He [Vishnu] will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and give it to Bali Maharaja.'
Mythology says that Mahabali was equivalent to Indra and thus was granted the right to visit the land of his time during every Onam. In the Bhagavata Purana, these words are found: 'He [Vishnu] will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and give it to Bali Maharaja.'
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