Onam is one of the important festivals of the Malayali people, the natives of Kerala. The festival is their harvest time. According to the English calendar, the festival falls in August. Onam is a vivid one from among the festivals of India. It carries a charism of its own. Apart from the legends and the rich culture, Onam is also fascinating in many aspects.
Legend of Onam
Onam Celebration festival marks the revisit of King Mahabali to his land, Kerala. According to one belief, Lord Vishnu pushes King Mahabali into the underworld. Due to the benevolent nature of Mahabali, he gains a gift from Vishnu that he can visit his people and the land once a year. This is nothing but the season of Onam. People celebrate Onam by wearing masks and get up from King Mahabali. They perform roadshows with great pomp and joy to narrate the significance of this legend.
Food of Onam
Onam is known for its feast called Ona Sadya. In this Onam special feast, there are more than 30 varieties of Kerala special dishes. The whole feast is served on a banana leaf and people relish this with bare hands. The sweets such as palpayasam, appams, Kerala stews, curries, appalams, the red rice, and the items made of coconut, milk, yam, and jaggery are signature recipes of Onam and Malayalis.
Pookkalam
Rangolis are an intrinsic part of any festival of Indian culture. When it comes to Onam, the rangolis style varies. Malayalis draw rangolis with flower petals. They are called Pookkalams. Resonating with the theme of Onam, these pookalams comprise various designs of lamps, flowers, Kathakali face, Kerala boat, and many aspects of Kerala culture. The Pookkalams are symmetric, bright, and captivate onlookers.
Dressing
Every state in India has its dressing style. This reflects during their festive seasons. Likewise for Onam, the dressing is one big highlight. Women wear Kerala Kasavu sarees that are off-white. The borders of these sarees glitter in zari in various colors. Men wear Kerala-style dhotis and children also don their traditional attire. During Onam season, people visit temples and houses near and dear in these traditional dresses only. Even at the Onam feast, you can see the whole place shining in the traditional dressing of Kerala.
Onam Celebrations Festival
Onam is a ten-day-long festival. The festivities continue for the whole ten days. People who run short of time due to modern life do not miss celebrating the festival on the last four days. The Onam celebrations comprise many Kerala signature style activities including boat races, elephant decorations, plays describing Mahabali and his tale, along with the vivid house decorations. Cultural dances of India are another attraction of this festival. Artists from across the globe perform dances such as Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Theyyam, etc. on events specially organized on the eve of Onam.
Season of joy binding families together
Onam is one of the few festivals celebrated in Kerala. Thus, the people here make sure that this festival is not missed in its essence. Keralites living in any part of the world, too, never miss celebrating Onam. Most people living abroad travel to their homeland to celebrate this festival with their extended families. Even in foreign lands, Malayalis get together and celebrate Onam with great enthusiasm.
Conclusion
Onam is thus a notable festival of India. It brings the whole global Malayali community to one dais. The festival celebrations boast of feast, fun, and frolic along with reflecting the rich culture of the state. Have you ever witnessed Onam in person? Which aspect of the festival do you like the most?
