Onam : The State Festival

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated usually in the months of August or September at Kerala. According to popular belief, it’s the time when King Mahabali comes to visit the land he once ruled. King Mahabali was a just ruler who was banished to the ‘Padal’ by Lord MahaVishnu who came in the form (Avatar) of a brahmin child (Vamana). King Mahabali was banished because he was aspiring to take over the throne of Lord Indra and was conducting a Maha Yaga for the purpose. Lord MahaVishnu was happy with the King’s devotion and concern for his people and was granted permission to come and visit his kingdom once in every year. ThiruOnam is the day when King Mahabali comes to visit his kingdom. This day is celebrated by Keralites as Onam to rejoice the return of their King Mahabali. 

Onam is celebrated in Kerala during the malayalam month of Chingam. Thironam is the day on which the star Thiruonam comes in this month. Athapookalum that is made with flowers is all part of the Onam festival. Athapookalum (floral designs) is first put on the day when the star Aatham comes in Chingam. These floral designs are put on all days upto the day when the star ThiruOnam comes. It’s now common in Kerala to conduct athapookalum contests where people having the best floral design wins some prize. Usually children put athapookalum in their houses after collecting flowers from their backyard.

Pulikali is also part of the Onam celebration. Pulikali has got people dressed as tigers and hunter. Then they dance to depict the hunting of the tigers by the hunter. This is usually found in streets at the time of Onam. Thrissur is famous for its Pulikali. 

Boat races are also conducted as a part of Onam celebrations. Valamkali as it is locally known in which snake boats compete is a great spectacle to watch. Many tourists come to watch this. Of this the Nehru Boat Race at Alappuzha and Aranmulla Valamkali are the famous ones.

Onam is also known for the feasts called Onam Sadhya. Onam Sadhya has got many curries and sauces with rice served on plantain leaf. As dessert, paysam is usually served. Paal (Milk)  payasam is the paysam that I enjoy the most as part of the Onam Sadhya. On Onam days people are usually dressed in their traditional attire. Onam is a great celebration in this part of the world and it’s a time when all the family members come together. Onam is a great time for tourists to visit Kerala and enjoy the real essence of Kerala culture.