Kerala
Onam is the largest festival in Kerala. The festival reflects the faiths and traditions prevalent among the people in Kerala. It upholds the soaring spirit of the people to celebrate Onam with all the grandeur and fashion. It is also a harvest festival. This festival takes place in a time when everything around seems to be nice and beautiful. From the Kerala landscape to the pleasant weather of the region, the bountiful harvest in the fields to the satisfaction on the farmer’s face, everything gives you a chance to smile.
From adults to Children, everyone waits enthusiastically for the arrival of this beautiful carnival. It is time to put on some new clothes, receive some gifts, take pleasure in the delicacies and earn some good wishes from the elders and love from the younger ones. It is time for those staying away from home, to meet their dear ones. Certainly, Onam Festival is the true manifestation of Kerala’s Culture!
Origination of Onam
Thiruonam, also known as Onam, originated as one of the cheerful annual nostalgia of the golden reign of King Mahabali. He is a mythical king, who is believed to have ruled Kerala long back. The festival honors the sacrifice of the king, his love for the human, his devotion to God. The festival thus welcomes this spirit of the legendary king, and also assures the king that his people are happy.
The Legend
Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this festival of joy, every year. According to the Legends, the Gods plotted against King Mahabali and planned to end his reign. Thus they sent Lord Vishnu on earth who took the form of a dwarf Brahmin. However, before crushing down his reign, Lord Vishnu kept the last wish of the King which was- to come to his land and the people, once each year.
Cultural Extravaganza
Among the fascinating facets of the Onam Festival is the fact that the festival unfolds the rich culture of the region. We get to experience various traditional events and folk arts like Kaikottikali, Kummattikalli, Pulikali, Kathakali, Thumbi Thullal, Pulikali etc.
A Wonderful Sight
Stunning parades of dressed up elephants, fireworks, famous traditional dances like Kathakali etc are associated with the very Onam Festival. This is also the time for various cultural and social events to take place in the state. This is the best time to visit God’s Own Country as it is the Tourism Week for Kerala, as declared by the Kerala Government.
Onam is For All
Though the Onam festival is originally for the Hindus, yet over the time, the festival has transcended all barriers of class, creed and caste. It is now a festival for all; a festival where people from every religion and background participate leaving behind the feeling of richness and poverty. An atmosphere of brotherhood and peace is created. Hindus, Christians, Muslims all engage in this festival of joy. ‘Unity in Diversity’ is reflected yet another time, in the state of Kerala, India, during the festival of Onam.
Rituals and Customs- Team Spirit and Unity
Onam is the festival of joy and festivity. People engage in shopping spree. They buy new clothes and gifts. The children get busy in collecting flowers in the morning to decorate their yards. Many cultural programs, dance, songs and sports are organized through out the state. ‘Pookalam’, a traditional flower carpet is prepared by the girls and placed before every house in order to welcome the Holy Spirit of King Mahabali. Earthen mounds that represent Mahabali and Vishnu are also placed in the courtyards that are dung plastered, especially on this occasion. Many traditional rituals take place which is then followed by great feasts. New clothes, home-cooked food items, sweet Payasam etc characterize the festival of Onam.
Houses are cleaned and adorned with various traditional decorative items. Feasts are also arranged. Images of idols and cones of clay are made and painted in red. These are called ‘Trikkakara Appan’. The idols are then worshipped after which loud shouts of happiness saying ‘Aarppu Vilikkukal’ is uttered by the male members in the family.
On the 9th day of Onam, the tenants of the families present the eldest member of Tarawad with vegetables and coconut oil in a ritual known as ‘Onakazhcha’. It is customary for the artisans in the village artisans to present a specimen of the handiwork done by him.
Ten Days of Onam festival
The Onam festival is celebrated all across the state of Kerala, for ten days. Each day bears its own significance and festivity attached to it. The people in Kerala eagerly wait for these ten days to come.
Atham: This is the first day of the festival and therefore has a great significance. People start by taking an early bath, followed by offering prayers. For the breakfast there is a fixed menu. The most important feature that takes place on this day is that people start making a floral mat called Pookalam or Athapoo. It is prepared to welcome the Holy Spirit of King Mahabali.
Chithira: This day is initiated by offering prayers. Boys engage in making arrangements for fresh flowers while the girls indulge in decorating the athapoo. Different discussions among the adults commences on this day.
Chodhi: There are no specific rituals to be followed on the third day of Onam. People go out on a shopping spree for gifts and new clothes.
Visakam: On this day, every member of the family actively participates in various activities. The mothers prepare papads and pickles. Girls decorate the Athapoo, and every body indulges in shopping.
Anizham: The popular attraction of this day is the very popular Boat race known as Vallamkali, Many beautifully decorated boats participate on this occasion, on the river banks of Pumba.
Thriketa: This is the day of cultural programs and togetherness.
Moolam: On this day, ‘Athapoo’ is prepared by giving it a new form, with kondattam (gaiety).
Pooradam: Poorada Uttigal, clay idols called ‘Ma’, are prepared on this day.
Uthradam: This is a public holiday in Kerala. Also known as First Onam, people are seen in a joyful mood day on this day, on the arrival of the spirit of King Mahabali.
Thiru Onam: This is the last day of the beautiful Onam festival. It is also called Second onam. Throughout the state of Kerala, the chants- “To everyone, Onam Wishes” can be heard. People take an early bath, put on their new dresses and come to offer prayers. Different kinds of events such as games, dances and other cultural activities are observed the whole day.
Major Attractions
Onamsadya: This is a nine course meal, which is dished up on a banana leaf along with a fixed menu. There is a fixed manner that is followed while serving this meal.
Grand Boat Race: A major attractions of the festival of Onam, is ‘Vallamkali’ that is the boat races of Payippad, Aranmula, Karuvatta and Kottayam. Numerous oarsmen row their traditional boats in keeping with the rhythm and beats of the cymbals and drums. These graceful Snake Boats are known as ‘Chundans’ looks like the lifted hood of the cobra.
There are also the ‘Churulans’ with their ornately curled stems and sterns, the Odis’, the swift and small raiding crafts decorated with gold silk umbrellas, and the cook-boats called ‘Veppus’. This customary watercrafts village rivalry would surely remind you of the old naval warfare.
Thousands of people assemble near the banks in order to watch and cheer up the men who participate in the boats races. With the rhythm of the applauds in the backdrop, the beautifully decked boats rip through the Kerala backwaters in a fight of speed.
Onakalikal: The games that are performed during Onam are altogether known as Onakalikal. Physically challenging on one hand, the sports are by tradition executed by men.
Dances: While men involve in games, women usually engage themselves in various kinds of dance performances.
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