Onam Festival is a 10-day harvest celebration in Kerala, embraced by Malayalis across the world. This vibrant festival, held in September, showcases Kerala’s rich cultural traditions.
Happy Onam to Keralites (Pinterest)
Onam is the auspicious occasion of Keralites. It is a Malayali festival rejoiced by all the Keralites in full gaiety. They joyfully celebrate Kerala’s 10-day harvest festival, a vibrant occasion filled with traditional rituals, cultural performances, and grand feasts.
Onam is observed in the Chingam month every year on the Malayalam Solar Calendar. On the day when Nakshatra Thiruvonam rules in the Chingam month, it is regarded as the Onam celebration time. The occasion honors the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and signifies the annual homecoming of mythological Emperor Mahabali from the underworld homecoming of Thiruvonam, Asura king Mahabali is considered to visit all the Malayali homes and meet his subjects personally.
Onam Celebrations in Kerala (twitter.com)
Onam Celebrations for Ten Days
The festival of Onam begins on Atham day (when Atham Nakshatra succeeds) and persists for ten days till Thiruvonam day.
Kids playing an Act on Onam Festival (raxacollective.com)
Day 1: Atham
Day 2: Chithira
Day 3: Chodhi
Day 4: Vishakam
Day 5: Anizham
Day 6: Thriketa
Day 7: Moolam
Day 8: Pooradam
Day 9: Uthradom
Day 10: Thiruvonam
Onam celebrations with family members (Kerala Tourism Holiday)
Onam Harvest Time
This is the harvest time in Kerala. During this time weather is awesome with celebrations in the air, and people are full-spirited. The fields appear bright with paddy grains shining in golden color. It is also the season when flowers and fruits bloom greatly. All the Keralite farmers are content with plentiful harvests and rejoice in this festival.
Happy moments of growing Beautiful Marigold Flowers on the Farm during Onam (YouTube)
How Onam is rejoiced by Keralites?
This special occasion is celebrated by Keralites amazingly as they wear their traditional outfits. Women look beautiful in white sarees with golden borders, and white flowers [gajra] attached to their long-braided hair. Men wear a white shirt with a gold border and mundu.
Girls celebrate the Onam fest with dance (India Today)
Onam festival also includes boat races performed by men [Vallam Kali], Onam fights [Onathallu], flower carpet [Pookkalam], Tug of War [Vadamvali], Lord of Onam [Onathappan], Kummati Kali, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Onapottan, Kazhchakkula, tiger dance [Pulikali] and many others. The remarkable celebration starts with a magnificent parade recognized as Atthachamayam in Thripunithara, Kochi.
Tiger Dance (www.pinterest.com)
Elephant Race on Onam (indianexpress.com)
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Tug-of-war played during the Onam Festival (Mathrubhumi)
Pookalam Onam [Rangoli]
Keralites decorate their homes with colorful flowers designed in a rangoli style known as Pookalam which is changed and beautified every day in different styles from Atham, Day 1 to Thiruvonam, Day 10. Through this rangoli competition, the best design is being awarded.
Rangoli preparation on Onam (English Jagran)
Boat Race on Onam
The boat race is hugely popular as the winning boat team is offered a prize. Lots of people gather on the banks of the river to watch this show. The snake boat race or Vallamkali is the most enthralling feature of the Onam festival. The popularity of Vallamkali has continued for years and every year it is a growing tourist attraction. They are not common boats as they are almost 100 feet in length and the seating capacity is 150 men. These boats are built of Anjali [Artocarpus hirsuta], but sometimes Kadamb [Naucleadcadamba] and teak are utilized to make them.
Vallamkali or Snake Boat Race during Onam (blessingsonthenet.com)
Onam Sadya [meal]
Keralites are served a full meal of various kinds of dishes on a banana leaf. The main spotlight of Thiruvonam is Onam Sadya where almost 30 to 65 vegetarian dishes are made approximately. The Onam feast is prepared lavishly, and every single Keralite has this meal.
Onam Meal (www.sharmispassions.com)
Wishing Happy Onam to everyone!
Joyful Festival of Onam (frillthrills.com)
Hope this wonderful festival of Onam brings prosperity, good fortune, and lots of happiness to all! 🙂
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