As the monsoon season in South India says goodbye to the land, the atmosphere is filled with vigor, happiness, and joy to welcome the Onam Festival, an important festival celebrated in Kerala. Starting from the beautifully decorated elephants to wild Pulikali dancers, and from the large snake boats lined up at the shores to the alluring floral decorations, Onam festival paints the city in colorful shades. There is no better way to experience the vivid cultures and rituals of Kerala and know everything about Onam Festival rather than embark the city with the best Kerala Tour Package during this festive season.
About Onam Festival – Marking up its way to the ending monsoon and welcoming the harvest season in Kerala, Onam is an annual Hindu festival originated in Kerala state. One of the biggest festivals of Kerala, Onam lasts for 10 days during the Malayalam month of Chingam that fills the heart of people with jauntiness and unites them to become a part of this festival. The festive charm of Onam reflects the vibrant cultures and traditions of Kerala. In 2022, the Onam festival will be observed from August 30 to September 08.
Importance of Onam Festival – The history behind this festival takes back to the Sangam period when Onam Festival was celebrated for a month. As per the ancient legends, this festival was to commemorate the arrival of Asura king Mahabali annually from Patala (the world underneath). It was the time when the city was ruled by the demon king Mahabali who was well known for his kindness. His growing popularity was becoming a threat for the gods and they appeal to Lord Vishnu for help.
Lord Vishnu took on a Vamana Avtar as poor Brahmin and arrived in front of Mahabali. He asked him to grant him the land which he covers in three footsteps. Being a kind-hearted demon king, he grants his wish and soon Vamana grows in size and in his first and second step he covers the sky and the earth. As it was the matter of his third step, the demon king stepped up and asked him to mark his third step on the king’s head which lead him to Patala. Although for the good deeds of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon that he can visit his people annually which led to the celebration of Onam Festival.
Events during Onam Festival celebration – Several events took place during Onam Festival that is enlisted below.
Tripunithura Athachamayam
Marking the first day of Onam Festival, Tripunithura Attachamayam is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. This day is filled with colorful inaugural ceremonies that feature a street parade all over the city. The parade includes different art forms, dancers, musicians, decorated elephants, and carnival floats walking down the streets.
Pookalam
Onam Festival is also a festival of flowers and Pookalam is one of such forms of celebrating the grand festival. This event is referred to the ritual where people decorate their houses with flowers and make designs on the floors usually at the front door and temples which looks like a flower mat.
Pulikali
The literal meaning of Pulikali is “the play of the tiger”. The erstwhile king of Kochi took forward this legacy tiger dance reflecting the manliness. For this dance, many people painted themselves and dressed as a tiger and later perform a dance on traditional music.
Vallamkali
The world-famous event of Onam festival is boat race which takes place in Kerala. Also known as a snake boat race, Vallamkali is held on the Pampa River in a grand procession including the Aranmula Uthrattathi boat race and Nehru trophy boat race. This event of Onam festival will leave awe-struck so including this in your tour plan is worthy.
Onam Sadya
No festival gets complete without delicious food and so as in the Onam Festival. Onam Feast or Onasadya is the main highlight of this 10-days celebration. This is a 9-course meal comprised of 11-1 traditional dishes serves on a banana leaf.
Being a part of Onam Festival is no wonder a great deal to get an amazing sight of cultures and rituals of Kerala. To become a part of this grand occasion, you can book your easy to customized Kerala Tour Package according to your needs and let Top Indian Holidays design a personalized holiday for you!
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