Onam is the most important festival of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state n...
Onam is the most
important festival of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with
joy and enthusiasm all over the state not just Kerala all over the world where
Malayalis live. 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.
Onam Celebration
is for 10 days with great splendour, liveliness, and entertainment. The history
and culture of Kerala are brought along with designing gorgeous flower carpets,
preparing a sumptuous meal, magnificent boat race and the attractive Puli Kali
and Kaikottikkali Dance.
Athachamayam Festival
Thripunithura
Athachamayam is the inauguration ceremony that kickstarts the celebrations
comprising a parade that showcases different forms of art, dance and music of
the state. Elephants that find a huge significance in the southern India are
decorated and actively participate in the procession.
Athapookalam:
Athapoo is
floral arrangement found in front of every house in Kerala during Onam
festival. It used to be a simple affair with common flowers being used for the
floral decorations but with Athappoo competitions becoming a common feature
during Onam, complex designs and exotic flowers have found place.
Pulikali:
Hundreds of
grown men dressed up as tigers and dancing to the beat of traditional
percussion instruments are an unexpected feature of Onam celebrations. Although
this display of the art of Pulikkali may be one of the quirkiest festivals in
India, it's actually very serious business! You may be surprised to discover
that it takes around four hours to completely decorate one person.
Snake Boat Race:
Snake boat races
are another highlight of the Kerala Onam festival. The Aranmula Boat Race is
not only the most famous one, but it's also among the oldest snake boat races
in Kerala. Unlike the others, the focus is more on tradition than competition.
Onasadya:
The most
important activity of Onam is the grand Ona-sadhya. Served on
plantain leaves, the feat has 13 to 15 curries apart from other regular items.
Sadhya is usually served for lunch. Preparations for the sadhya begin the night
before as no work is done on Onam day.
Mallu Attire:
South Indians
expect chance to buy clothes and jewelry and what’s better than a festival! There’s
a tradition of purchasing new clothes for the festival, also called Onakkodi.
Men dress up in a white dhoti with golden or a colourful border (mundu) and women
usually, wear white sari with golden border (Kasavu saris). Most of the women
are seen glamming up the saris with golden jewelry and nowadays with
diamond jewellery too.
Also Read: Howto dress up for Onam Fashionably
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