Onam is the harvest festival and the biggest celebration of Kerala. It occurs during August- September, where people bid adieu to the harsh monsoon and welcomes the sunny spring. This is the greatest time to be in Kerala, the verdant grasslands would all be in blossom and the whole place would be in a festive mood. According to the legends, all the celebrations and preparations are to welcome the beloved King Mahabali who is believed to visit the state during Onam every year. Here are some interesting activities and traditions of Onam festival.
Onasadya or Onam Feast
The Onasadhya is the most delicious part of this glorious festival. This grand feast is prepared on the tenth and last day of Onam, called Thiruonam. The feast is traditionally served on a banana leaf and it normally includes about 24-28 dishes served as a single course and it can get as large as over 64 items in a single course. It starts with fries called uppery and ends with a scrumptious dessert called Payasam. You can visit Kerala just to experience the Onasadya; it is a treat for your senses.
Flower carpet or Pookalam
Onam festival occurs during spring time in Kerala and the floral carpet, known as Pookkalam is made from the gathered blossoms. These flowers are pinched up into little pieces to decorate at entrances of houses and temple premises. The Pookalam is similar to Rangoli which is made of powders of various colors.
The traditional ritual of laying Pookkalam starts on the first day of Onam called Atham day. The size of Atha- pookalam is small but Pookkalam grows in size with the passing of each day of the Onam festival. On the tenth day, the Pookalam would be huge and grand.
Kasavu saree and mundu
Kasavu saree and mundu are the traditional attires of Kerala. These fabrics would be white or off-white with contrasting golden borders and they look graceful and ethereal. On the Thiruvonam day, you can see the whole Malayali crowd irrespective of their religion and caste adorned in these beautiful attires.
Puli kali
Pulikali is a folk art of Kerala performed during Onam celebrations. The Pulikali performers would paint their bodies like tigers and hunters using organic bright colors like yellow, red, black and white. Puli means tiger in Malayalam and the word literally means the ‘play of the tigers’ hence the performance based on the theme of tiger hunting. The horde of artists taking over the streets disguised as tiger adds vibrancy and quirk to the celebration. Though the performance takes place in all parts of Kerala, the biggest procession of tigers takes place in Swaraj Ground, Thrissur.
Snake Boat Race or Vallam Kali
Vallam Kali is the traditional boat race in the backwaters of Kerala. Chundan Vallam or the snake shaped boat is used for the race and hence the name. To witness the exciting boat race amidst the cheer, the sound of waves and the Vanji Pattu or the boat song is an exhilarating experience.