Onam – Celebrating Kerala’s Heritage & Culture

Onam is the harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Kerala. It is the state festival of Kerala and celebrated for ten days with an array of cultural programs, traditional food and rituals lined up for every day. Onam has much mythological significance apart from being the harvest festival.

The festival usually falls during the month of August or September, which is also the Malayalam month of Chingam. The festival marks the return of King Mahabali, who according to the Vishnu Puran was bested by Lord Sri Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as the dwarf sage Vamana. King Mahabali was a demon king and yet was revered by one and all. It is believed that every year during the month of Chingam, he revisits his kingdom from the underworld to see his people living happily.

Such was his love for his people and Onam is celebrated, rejoicing his annual visit. The Vamana avathar (incarnation) of Lord Sri Vishnu who is called Onatthappan is also worshipped during Onam. A clay figurine of Vamana is installed next to the traditional floral carpet in honor of Lord Sri Vishnu. The presiding deity of Thiruvanthapuram, Sri Padmanabhan’s birthday is celebrated as Thiruvonam, which is the most important day in the 10-day long Onam celebrations. Thiruvonam this year falls on 7th September.

Chingam is the first month of a new year in the Malayalam calendar, and the people welcome the new year with Atthachamayam (Royal parade on Atham Day) which marks the beginning of the Onam celebrations. All over the state the festival is celebrated with great pomp and fare and brings out the best of Kerala’s cultural heritage.

The traditional aspects of this festival are the Onapookkalam, which is the floral carpet made with flowers of different colors in the courtyards. The Onamsadhya which is the grand feast is prepared during Thiruvonam. The number of dishes in the Onamsadhya can go upto 30.

Onam is also famous for its unique and magnificent snake boat races, called Vallamkali wherein about 100 men row the majestic snake boat with hundreds of spectators cheering them on. Traditional dances like Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal are also performed during Onam.

Though Onam is a festival of malayalees, it is also celebrated in other parts of South India. In Puducherry, it is perhaps celebrated with great fanfare in Pondicherry University which has many students from Kerala. Apart from the cultural performance organised, on Thiruvonam, that is 7th September, Onamsadhya will be prepared and served to all.