onam thiru onam

Onam is the biggest festival in Kerala, India. It is celebrated for 10-days starting from Atham (first day) to Thiruonam (the ten day). Onam festivities begins on the first Month CHINGAM of Malayalam Calendar KOLLAVARSHAM. This is the harvest season in Kerala. Farmers are happy and welcome Onam with tradition and festivity to welcome their harvest month afterdeprivation of KARKIDAKAM (last month of Malayalam Calendar).

It is believed that Onam celebrations started in 800 AD during Sangam period during time of Kulasekhara Perumals. During those days, festival last for 30-days. According to legends, the celebration is to welcome King Mahabali, who spirit visit Kerala during Onam. The 10-day carnival is celebrated with the best of Kerala culture and tradition. It with begins with ATHAM and notable feature of the day is making of flower carpet - flower arrangement at the entrance of the house called POOKKALLAM (see the pictures).

The women folks - specially the younger ones, prepare the POOKKALLAM in the courtyard to welcome the King Mahabali's spirit. Young boys too help in gathering and bringing the flowers. Each day, the flowers are added to POOKKALLAM and at the final day of THIRUONAM, the POOKKALLAM turn out to be huge decorated carpet of flowers.

The last day of Onam, Thiru Onam starts in a big way. Everyone celebrate this accordingly the tradition of their own home. Homes are decorated and cleaned. Breakfast is set with steamed bananas and friend pappadam (PAPPAD). A swing is placed on a high branch of a tree and women folks decorate the swing and play around this. Youngsters enjoy the swinging and singing.

The Onam feast is called ONASADYA - a dinner prepared on the last day of onam THIRU ONAM. It is 9-course meal consisting of 13 essential dishes. ONASADYA is served on banana leaves and people sit on the floor where a mat is laid.

Another delightful feature of Onam is the Snake Boat Race called VALLAMKALI held on the river Pampa. It is colorful sight to watch the decorated boat - hundreds of boatmen row the boat amidst chanting of songs to cheers of spectators! Apart from the Snake Boat Race, there other games played during the festival. Men go for sports like Talappanthukali (a ball game), Archery (Ambeyyal), Kutukutu, Kayyankali and Attakalam (combats games). Women indulge in cultural activities, decorating the home, working the POOKKALLAM. They sing and perform dances in groups like THUMBI THULLAI or KAIKOTTI KALI - which are very graceful form dances for whole family to participate, and which also a part of welcoming the spirit of King Mahabali.

My Good Wishes to the people of Kerala.

[10 September 2008]