Onam is the grand festival of Kerala celebrated for a period of 10 days in the month of August/September. It originated as an occasion to remember the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled over Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and loved by his subjects. The legend holds that jealous of King Mahabali’s popularity and his power, the Gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers and conspired to end his reign. They sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin who trampled Mahabali to the netherworld. But Lord Vishnu granted the King’s sole wish to visit his land and people once every year. Onam heralds the annual visit of King Mahabali to his kingdom Kerala to meet his subjects.
People lay a flower carpet, traditionally called “Pookalam”, in front of their house to welcome the King and mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the courtyards. The festival is welcomed with many celebrations. Snake boat races (vallam kali), pookalams (flower rangoli), pulikali (tiger dance), kaikottikali, kummattikali, onathallu, onavillu, vadamvali (tug of war) and other traditional rituals are performed all over Kerala. The famous Onam ‘sadya’ (feast) is a highlight. The people also enjoy the “oonjal aatam” ie, swaying on the traditional long rope swings made only for Onam. They also buy new clothes for family and ensure sumptuous home cooked delicacies on banana leaves.
The ten days of Onam are identified as Atham, Chithira, Chothi, Vishakham, Anizham, Thrikketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thirivonam. The first and last days are particularly important to Keralites and to Malayalee communities elsewhere. The Atham day marks the start of festivities. Other days have a diverse range of celebrations and activities ranging from boat races, cultural programmes, village level competitions etc. Onam is also the harvest festival of Kerala.
During the festival period men and women wear traditional dress. The women wear the typical Kerala sari or kasavu sari whereas the men wear “mundu” the traditional bottom wear. The official Onam celebrations start off with a grand procession at Thripunithura near Kochi and is called Athachamayam. The procession path historically has been from Thripunithura to Vamanamoorthy temple at Thrikkakara near Kochi. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his vamana(dwarf) avathar.
The floral carpet known as “pookalam” is made out of varieties of flowers and leaves arranged in beautiful designs and decorative patterns on the floor mostly near the entrance to house. Lamps are arranged in the middle. The traditional laying of ‘pookalam’ starts on the Atham day and is relatively small in size with golden color flowers in one ring. The size of ‘pookalam’ grows in size progressively with each day of Onam and the best is reserved for Thiruonam. Traditionally the ‘pookalams’ included flowers endemic to Kerala called ‘Dashapushpams or ‘10 flowers’ but nowadays all varieties of flowers are being used. Earthern mounds which look somewhat like pyramids representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in the dung plastered courtyards in front of the house along with ‘pookalam’ and are decorated beautifully with flowers. ‘Pookkalam’ competitions are a common sight all over Kerala during Onam and are a real treat to the eye.
The Onam Sadya (feast) is another indispensible part of Thiruvonam and almost every Keralite prepare or attend one. The sadya reflects the spirit of the season and is traditionally made with seasonal vegetables. The feast is served in plantain leaves and consists of nine courses and may even include up to two dozen dishes which includes banana chips, sharkaravaratti, pappadam, injipuli, thoran, mezhukkupuratti, kaalan, olan, avial, sambar, rice, ghee, erisseri, rasam, pulissery, kichadi, pachadi, moru, pickles etc. The feast ends with desserts called payasams. Kerala par-boiled rice is traditionally used for the sadya. The essence of Onam feast is captured in the famous Malayalam saying ”kaanam vittum onam unnanam” which means one must have Onam sadya even by selling one’s property, if need be. The Travancore style sadya is renowned to be the most traditional and authentic.
Onam also see the huge inflow of tourists from across the country and the globe. The decorations, lighting and the general ambiance are mesmerizing. The State government takes the initiative and provides all support to organize the public celebrations in a grand manner at various locations. Onam, though originally a Hindu festival, has become the State festival over the years and celebrated by people of all religions, thus bringing in harmony and brotherhood among all. It’s a festival of joy, happiness and prosperity for all Keralites.
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