Onam Date Kerala | Onam Festival India | Harvest Festival in Kerala

Introduction:

Onam Festival is celebrated throughout the state of Kerala. One of the most important harvest festivals, it falls in the Malayalam month Chingam (August-September). All the celebrations of the Onam Festival revolve around worship, music, dance, sports, boat races and good food. It is the time to thank God for the abundant harvest and enjoy the reward of a year of hard work.

People pray to Lord Vishnu and seek his benevolence. A convoluted procession of Trichur and the entertaining boat races on River Pampa are some of the attractions of the Kerala Onam Festival. One of the most popular boat races is that of "Vallamkali" or a great boat race. This race involves hundreds of men rowing the boats to the beat of drums and cymbals.

The legend attached to Onam goes that it is celebrated in the memory of King Mahabali, the erstwhile ruler of Kerala. Infact, it symbolizes the peaceful reign of the King and the freedom enjoyed by the people under his rule. It is also believed that during Onam, King Mahabali returns to Kerala to pay a visit to his people. At the time of the festival, women dress up in all their finery and ornament themselves with heavy jewelry. Also, they decorate the entrance of their house with intricate designs of Rangoli (colorful drawings on floor)

Though Onam Festival is celebrated throughout Kerala, but the celebrations at Thiruvananthapuram, Trichur and Kottayam are the most magnificent ones. Especially, the Kaikottikkali or Thiruvathirakkali performed by girls, around the traditional brass lamp, leaves you mesmerized.

On an individual basis, the celebrations include cleaning up of the houses by the family members. All the members of the family wear new clothes and decorate the house. The celebrations include preparing delectable sweets and dishes and serving them on the banana leaves. Also, you will see a Pookalam, a flower mat, outside every home. This mat is a symbolic gesture of welcoming King Mahabali.

Onam: The Biggest festival in Kerala

Onam is the most important festival celebrated in Kerala. Best of the Kerala culture and traditions are part of this festival. Grand celebrations and festive events take place on this festival. It is a harvest festival and all the communities of Kerala take part in the celebrations of this festival. This festival celebrates the homecoming of legendary Malyali king Mahabali.

Significance of Onam:

Onam is celebrated to mark the homecoming of legendary king Mahabali. It is believed that spirit of their hero visit the state at the time of this festival.

Legend of Onam:

It is believed that it is during the reign of Demon King Mahabali, Kerala experienced the best time of its prosperity. Also his subjects were happy and regarded him as their God. All this made him very proud and egoistic. Gods felt challenged by his growing power. So they made use of his weakness to end him. But besides that, he was granted a boon that he can visit his people every year. It is believed that his spirit comes every year to Kerala.

Date of Onam:

Onam is celebrated in beginning of the month of Chigam which is August-September. Chigam is the first month according to the

Malayalam Calender.
Celebrations OF Onam:

Celebrations of Onam are performed in the form of a carnival which lasts for full ten days. Out of these ten days, first day, Atham and the tenth day Thiruonam are the most significant days of this festival.

Many cultural events such as breathtaking boat race, ambrosial Onasadya, Kaikottikali dance, decorated elephants, folk songs, rich feast take place on the occasion of Onam.

Onasadya is the grand feast, served on Thiruonam which is comprised of 11 to 13 traditional dishes. It is served on banana leaves. Vallamkali or snake boat race is another striking and unique feature of this festival.