Onam is the most popular and attractive festival of Kerala, India. It is the harvest festival of Kerala. Irrespective of cast, creed, religion, all Keralites celebrate it now as a national festival of Kerala and it is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. Onam in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept).

Onam Legends states that Onam is celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, popularly known as Mavely, the king who ruled over Kerala once, "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves"

He was a true devote of the Lord Mahavishnu and was the grandson of the devout Prahalada. The Lord Mahavishnu decided to test the King Mahabali. He came to earth as vamana avathr, as a poor dwarf Brahmin boy. He asked the King Mahabali that he want three feet of land to live. The king laughed and told Vamana to take three feet of land from anywhere he wants.

Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. And asked Mahabali to give space for the third foot. By seeing all these, the king understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person, and Vamana has come to test him and he showed his head to keep the third foot. Vamana kept his third foot on the King's head and the King was pushed down under the earth (pathala).

Mahabali was an Asura king of Kerala and was very efficient and truthful. During his ruling it is said that there was no thieves, no corruption, no betrayal. And all people lived united, without the difference of rich or poor and all are equal.

He became very popular day by day and the Gods could not be tolerated the popularity of the King Mahabali. They sought help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by the King Mahabali.

Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and Brahmin, called Vamana. Vamana was small in size like a boy and came to the kingdom of Mahabali just after his morning prayers, when the King gave boons to Brahmins.

The Vamana asked for as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King made a promise to do so. Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. And asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot.

By seeing all these the king Mahabali realized that the boy was not an ordinary Brahmin and asked Vamana to put his third step on his head with out any hesitation. Then Mahabali was pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala) by Lord Vishnu (Vamana). Mahabali requested permission to visit his people once in a year. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant the request. Keralites celebrate Onam festival to commemorate the advent of Lord Mahavishnu as Vamana avatar and to rejoice the annual visit of Emperor Mahabali to meet his people. The legend of Onam may also be reflective of beginning of Brahmins/Namboodiris (Vamanan) dominations in Kerala and the fall of native residents (Mahabali) of Kerala of that time.

Keralites Celebrate Onam for 10 days .

The ten days are named as below:- Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Visakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam, Thiruvonam. There are no set rituals marked for these days.

The Atham day of Chingam, is the first day of the beginning of Onam celebrations. The earthen moulds are made, which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu and placed in the dung-plastered courtyards, in front of the house and beautifully decorated with flowers.

Athachamayam (September 2, 2008) a cultural procession takes place in the royal town of Tripunithura near Ernakulam, Kochi. Nearest railway station is Thripunithura, about 1 km away. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 30 km from Thripunithura.

The annual temple festival of the Vamanamoorthy temple at Thrikkakara, also coincides with Onam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is linked to the mythological background of Onam.

Boys and girls of the house will get the job of collecting and arranging flowers for the Pookkalm.

The ‘Uunjal aattam’ (swings) is another integral part of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and women, with onakkodi (new dress), sing Onappaattu (Onam songs), and swings one another. The whole hearted enthusiasm and celebrations. Gifts are also procured for everyone in the house including the servants. Some shopping is also done for relatives.

Different types of flowers are added to Pookalam on each day as each flower is devoted to a particular deity. As a result Pookalam increases in diameter on every day and gets a refreshing new design.

One of the important events, which attract foreign guests, is the Snake Boat Race called Vallamkali, which takes place on Anizham the fifth day of the Onam. This popular competition will be held on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmula. 

This colourful spectacle of the race is popularly known as “Aranmula Vallamkali”.

A large number of long snake like boats called chundan vallams participate in Vallamkali. Each picturesquely decorated boat is oared by hundreds of oarsmen dressed in the traditional dhoti and turban. Boats are oared on the rhythm of songs called vanchipattu or boat songs. Vallamkali is essentially a team event any mistake in synchronizing the action by any of the oarsman can lead to overturning of the boat.

Utradam or Uthradam is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. There is jubilation all around as people prepare to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali. In some regions of Kerala festivities of Onam starts in a full-fledged way from Utradam itself and is known as the first Onam and the next day Thiru Onam as the second Onam.

On the day of Utradam tenants and dependents bring produce of their farms or the product to the Karanavar (eldest member of the Tarawad). These gifts from the tenants to the Karanavar are called Onakazhcha.

Karanavar greets these people and treats them with a sumptuous meal on Thiruvonam day.

On thiruonam day activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and participate in special prayers organized in local temples. Later a very special and the biggest of all days Pookalam, Flower mat, is prepared to welcome the king Mahabali.

Clay mounds in the shape of pyramids representing Lord Vishnu and Mahabali are prepared and placed in front of the Pookalam.

In the noon the grand feast of Onam called Onasadya is prepared. The strict vegetarian meal consists of 11 - 13 mandatory dishes and is served on a banana leaf. 

Various cultural events like dances, games and different shows are organized all over the state. Women dressed in their traditional gold-bordered, off-white, ‘mundu and neriyathu’ and performing the very elegant folk dance Kaikottikali is another wonderful scene from the carnival of Onam. 

Dances like Kaikottikali and Thumbi Thullal are the important games among women. Fire crackers are also burnt to add fun to the celebration. The eldest member of the family presents gifts and new clothes to the family members.

Onapookkalam is made of various kinds of flowers. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora). Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookkalam as they are small in size and glitter in the soft rays of the sun.

'Thumba Poo' is also considered to be the favourite flower of Lord Shiva and King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Shiva.

Various societies and business groups all over the state organize Pookalam decoration competitions (Creating abstract patterns with petals, the floral carpet competition) on the day of Onam.

Big prizes are also offered in these contests as they have turned up to be extremely competitive events. Recently, people prepare intricate designs first on computer and then implement it on floor. This saves a lot of time and energy and helps the designers to come up with stunnin

Tiger Dance-- Kaduva Kali : 

Known otherwise as Puli Kali. It is a traditional art form of Kerala performed during festive seasons especially during the Onam season. Performers paint their bodies in bright yellow, red and black spots and lines to resemble tigers, and go about from house to house, dancing vigorously to the loud beating of percussion instruments like Chenda, Udukku, Thakal, etc.

Procession of elephants

The fabulous procession of elephants is one of the major highlights of Onam and attracts thousands of people from India and abroad. A golden plate beatifically designed with different size golden babbles called “Nettippattam” is placed on elephant’s forehead which enhance the elephants look more handsome. The long stemmed ceremonial silk and satin umbrellas laced with white metal or silver are placed on top of the animal. Elephants adorned with gold plates on their forehead and umbrellas on top present a majestic sight. A colourful silk robe, some jewelry and body painting adds to the looks. These pachyderm amuses its audience especially children by shaking its trunk and the big body a little along with the rhythm. The procession is added with feasting, dance, music and merrymaking. The most impressive and good-looking animal gets the honor of being a part of the procession.. 

Onam greetings and messages.
Similar to sending Christmas and New Year greetings, sending of heart felt Onam Messages preferably in Malayalam and onam greeting cards to the near and dear have become very popular.

Thiruonam Aashamsakal to all.