Onam. The very thought brings back fond memories of beautiful peaceful backwaters; coconut trees as far as the eye can see; beautiful flower arrangements on the ground; incredible cultural activities; boat races; songs & dancing; one of the most sumptuous vegetarian feast of over 20 items on served traditionally on banana leaf; and a time where everyone sits together in full happiness and solidarity.
Photo below: Pookalam flower arrangement with "ഓണാശംസകൾ " or Onam greetings
Onam is the largest and most important celebration around the state of Kerala in South India. It’s a 10-day celebration almost always celebrated sometime from end of August to mid September, during the Malayali month of Chingam. Although Onam has roots from the Hindu harvest festival, generally most Malayalis (people from Kerala and of Kerala origin) will observe it as a cultural celebration regardless of religion. It’s a time where everyone comes together and family members come back home. This year, the most important day, the 10th day of Onam, also known as Thiruvonam, falls on 11th September 2019.
The key mystical figures during Onam is King Mahabali (or Maveli in short), as due to his great love for his people, he is given the opportunity to come back to visit his kingdom each year. That’s also why most Onam greetings have some depiction of Maveli, and also many dress up as King Maveli during the main days of the celebration to bring joy to homes. This is especially seen during the 9th day (Uthradam) and the most important 10th day (Thiruvonam). This year Thiruvonam will fall on 11th September 2019.
Photo below: Photos with King Maveli, a must during Onam
One key feature of homes, offices, businesses is the beautiful flower arrangement called a Pookalam. Petals of fragrant flowers are plucked and arranged into shapes and forms. It’s a very beautiful sight, and signifies welcome to friends, visitors and to Maveli. Most pookalam arrangements will feature a oil lamp (deepam) in the middle or the corner, bring welcome to all bright and good.
Photo below: Picture of Pookalam
In certain specific places around Kerala, including Alappuzha, Aranmula and many others, the local communities will gather for incredible boat races (valam kali) where many community members sit in long snake boat and paddle synchronously with the beat of the drums. It’s just an amazing sight as it’s also this time the monsoon season tapers down, and the sky may still drizzle slightly and where water levels are high. Many of the participants break out into song which is such an incredible sight.
Photo below: Taking part in Valam Kali celebrations
Most years, during the week leading up to Thiruvonam (10th day of Onam), the Kerala state usually celebrates Onam in Thiruvanthanpuram, the capital of Kerala. This week long celebration includes lots of arts and cultural programs displayed usually around the palace grounds. There will be lots of festive displays of singing, dance and so much more. During this time, community members may come from towns far away to join.
Photo below: Onagosham or Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala
One of the key events during Onam festival is the state-wide Puli Kali (tiger/leopard play), almost always held on the 3rd day after Thiruvonam, in the main square of Thrissur town, the cultural city of Kerala. Here, tens of thousands of people gather to watch groups of participants dress up and paint their bodies like tigers, leopards and includes a float display of vehicles right up to wee hours of the morning.
Photo below: Taking part in Puli Kali celebrations in Thrissur Kerala. Amazing crowd.
Onam could not be complete without the the most important culture aspect of the festival, which is the Onasadhya (Feast of Onam). It’s a time and culture to enjoy the best of what the land can offer. Onasadya is enjoyed on the lunch of Thiruvonam, where the most sumptious vegetarian meal is cooked at home, or offered in restaurants, served on banana leaf. It’s not uncommon for Onasadhya to include at least 20 different varieties of dishes with rice and sweet dessert. Some places like Aranmula, up to over 100 dishes have been served in Onasadhya.
Photo below: Onasadhya, Onam’s feast. The heart of Onam.
Some of the main dishes served in Onasadhya which is always vegetarian includes Parboiled rice (usually Matta rice), Thoran, Aviyal, Erissery, Olan, Kalan, Pachadi, Kichadi, Puli Inji, types of Achar/Pickles, Papadam, Tayru, Pavaka Kondattam, Kappa, Pazham, Upperi sweet and salty, Chakaravaruty, Sambar, Rasam, Moru, Cherupeyar Payasam, Paal payasam, and more.
This is a short introduction to Onam. The actual celebration experience means a lot more than just words or pictures. To join in Onam celebration in the future, one can make a trip to visit Kerala in South India, or join in your local Malayali community near you.
In Malayalam (the official language of Kerala), we greet each other with “Namaskaaram”. And during Onam we wish each other “Onashamsakal” (Greetings for Onam).
Special greetings and blessing from all of us here in the Local Guides community of Kerala during this Onam season. We especially remember the difficult floods last year and this year and pray for all who were taken from us.
Photo below: Our Kerala Local Guides community all around the state of Kerala in India.
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