ONAM

About:

• Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala.
  
  
• Time and Duration:
  • It is a harvest festival, 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.
    
    
  • Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all.
    
    
  
  
  
• Background: 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.
  
  

Celebrations:

• Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.
  
  
• The most impressive part is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine-course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes.
  
  
• Another key feature is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa.
  
  
• There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam.
  
  
• Women indulge in cultural activities.
  • They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali.
    
    
  • Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam.