Onam is one of the biggest and most important festivals of Kerala. This festival is celebrated by the Keralites with great unity and fervor. This festival is celebrated beyond the boundaries of caste and religion. It is basically a festival of harvests that is celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm. As per the legend, this festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali. Legend says that the spirit of Mahabali visits Kerala during Onam. This festival is celebrated at the start of Chingam month, which is the opening month of Kollavarsham, the Malayalam Calendar. This month coincides with the months of August and September of the Gregorian calendar.
Traditions
During Onam, the affluent cultural legacy of Kerala comes forth in the best possible way. This festival lasts for 10 days, and it is an absolute pleasure to be a part of the grand Onam Carnival. The Onam Carnival takes place for 4 to 10 days, and the first day Atham and the tenth day Thiruvonam are the most important days.
The most attractive section of Onam is the luxurious feast known as ‘Onasadya’, which is prepared on the day of Thiruvonam. This meal consists of nine courses comprising of eleven to thirteen important dishes. This meal is served up on banana leaves and the people have to sit on the floor spread with mats to eat it.
Another exciting feature of Onam is the Snake Boat Race called the Vallamkali, which is held on Pampa River. The boats are decorated beautifully and oared by hundreds of men, which is a very colourful sight to see.
Games are also played by men and women together on Onam, which are called Onakalikal. Men play rigorous sports such as Ambeyyal (Archery), Talappanthukali (a sport played using a ball), Kutukutu, Attakalam and combats known as Kayyankali. Women perform various cultural activities.
Tourist Essential
Onam is an attraction for all the tourists whether from outside or within the state. All the activities of Onam circle around revolve around music, dancing, sports, boat races, worshipping and food. The extended parade of Trichur and the amazing snake boat race represent the joyous temperament of this festival. Women adorn themselves with new sarees and jewelry and make intricate Rangoli motifs using flowers called ‘Pookalam’ in front of the entrances of their homes.
The magnificent parade of decorated elephants, fireworks and the most popular Kathakali dance are traditionally linked with Onam. Onam is a time of various cultural events, carnivals and sports activities. All this and much more make the time of Onam the most suitable time to visit Kerala or ‘God’s own country’. Taking into consideration the tourist activities during Onam time, the Government of Kerala declares this time as the Tourism Week every year.
