Onam is considered to be one of the most spectacular festivals of South India. It is really difficult to capture the beauty and splendor of the festival in writings. Once you go and see it with your own eyes it is difficult to explain in words. It is the festival of the high-spirited people of Kerala. People celebrate it with gaiety and fervor. It is celebrated for a period of ten days, starting from the first day Atham and continuing till tenth and the biggest day called Thiru Onam.

It is not that only people of south India celebrate this festival it is the celebration time for all throughout the country. People from all corners participate in the celebration. The spectacular festival attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and globe. With the passage of time this festival has gained immense popularity as it is promoted by the Government of India for Tourism purpose. Onam is a daytime festival. Shops and markets are spruced up and some shops are even illuminated at night. Onam is the official festival of Kerala. In fact Onam celebrated like a mini Republic Day in Kerala. The Tourism Department of Kerala organizes the famous snake boat race. Scores of people come to watch the parade and there is a feeling of festivity in the air. The festival is celebrated for ten days with great enthusiasm. The beginning of the festival is marked with floral carpets called Pookalam. It is done on the first day. Girls mainly decorate them in designs in front courtyards of their house. Boys help them out in doing so. Special prayers are also said on Atham in a local temple. Hectic activities for the carnival begin in the state from this day onwards. The most important and happening day of the festival is the carnival called Thiruvonam. Festivities begin as early as 4 am. People clean up their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and perform elaborate prayers to seek divine blessings. A massive and most exquisite pookalam is prepared on this day to welcome the spirit of King Maveli. The most exciting part of the festival is the grand lunch called Onasadya. People of Kerala are extremely passionate about this. Anyhow they will prepare this lunch even if they cannot easily afford. There are lots of activities, which takes place all over the state on Onam. At Thrissur, caparisoned elephants move out in a procession and present a regal view. While at Cheruthuruthy, Kathakali artists cast a spell on the audience with the magic of their performance. Women perform their graceful traditional clap dance, Kaikotikalli on the day and enthrall the audience. Vallamkali, the popular snake boat race is also organised in several parts of the state to mark the day.

Number of sports and games events are also organised on the day. These are collectively called Onakalikal. Some of them are rigorous sports like Talappanthukali, Kutukutu and combats like Kayyankali and Attakalam. Archery is also a part of Onakalikal. Senior members have their share of fun by playing indoor games like cards and chess. There is also a tradition of swinging on Onam. A decorated swing is swung on a high branch and young men and women take the pleasure on it while singing traditional songs.

Onam Celebrations in Kerala

Onam is regardedas the most important the biggest festival of Kerala. But, there is a lot more to Onam than being just a festival. Onam reflects the faith of the people of Kerala; A belief in their legendary past, religion and power of worship. It shows the high spirit of the people who go out of the way to celebrate the festival in the prescribed manner and a grand fashion. It portrays the true cultural heritage and past of Kerala. All the rituals and traditions associated with the festival shows how rich is the heritage of India. Onam is celebrated as a harvest festival. It is celebrated at a time when everything appears so wonderful. The beautiful landscape of Kerala can be seen in its full radiance at this time of the Malayalam New Year. Weather, it seems, also seeks to be a part of the festival. It contributes by becoming pleasantly warm and sunny. Fields look brilliant with a bountiful harvest. Farmers feel on top of the world as they watch the result of their hard labor with pride. The festival showcases the unity among people.

The beauty of the festival lies in it's secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organized on the day. One of the most marvelous facets of Onam is the unfolding of its rich and well-established culture. It portrays the culture through various activities. We see not just glimpses but a whole gamut of it in the ten-day-long carnival. Pulikali, Kaikottikali, Kummattikalli, Kathakali, Thumbi Thullal besides several other folk arts and traditions can be seen on one platform called Onam. Women take special interests in making special arrangements to welcome Onathappan. Flower carpets are laid in the front courtyards with dedication and full sincerity. A grand meal is prepared on the day of Thiru Onam. It is on this day that Maveli's spirit visits Kerala. Delicious meal consists of best of Kerala cuisine including avial, sambhar, rasam, parippu and the payasam adds more color to the festival. Onam is the passion of the people of Kerala. And, pride of India!

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