| The time when Kerala is at its best - Onam, the | | | | Onam " Sadhya " - the common lunch during onam |
| most celebrated festival of Kerala, remarks the arrival | | | | with almost 25 dishes served in plantain leaf, |
| of the beloved legendary King of Kerala, "Mahabali". | | | | "Kaikottikalli"- a art form performed by Kerala women |
| Every Keralite will have a thousand words to say | | | | in the tradition Kerala half saree, Elephant |
| about Onam. It's a carnival lasting for ten days which | | | | processions, "Pullikalli" men dressed like tigers would |
| brings out the best of art, culture, tradition and taste. | | | | dance, and series of games. "Vadamvalli" a common |
| Out of this "Thiruvonam" is the most important day. | | | | game during Onam - This is about two groups pulling |
| Onam is defined as the harvest festival of Kerala | | | | a single rope from two sides with a tied mark in the |
| which falls in the month of "Chingam" according to | | | | centre, whoever pulls the tied mark to their side will |
| the Malayalam calendar, usually during August or | | | | win the game. This game symbolizes group effort |
| September. | | | | and strategy and you can find the strongest and the |
| Legend says that, once there was a wise, generous, | | | | heftiest ones at the rear end of the formation. |
| judicious and greatly respected King named "Mahabali". | | | | The Nehru trophy boat race is organized during the |
| During his reign, Kerala was in her golden ages, there | | | | second Saturday of every August; this is very close |
| was no difference between the rich and the poor, no | | | | to the dates of the Onam festival. During this time |
| poverty and hunger. The king became so popular | | | | people would really feel that onam has arrived. Large |
| that even the Gods were envious. Then Lord Vishnu | | | | numbers of people gather to see the boat race, |
| came down in the avatar of "Vamana" and sent the | | | | which is considered a tight competition in the villages |
| King into the underground world "Pathalam". "Vamana" | | | | of Alleppey. This is a government organized event |
| accepted the request of the King "Mahabali" to visit | | | | and many tourists from different parts of the world |
| his people once every year. So Onam was celebrated | | | | come to be a part of the event. Even though the |
| to welcome the King. Even though this story is still a | | | | even happens in backwater, the vibe is all around the |
| legend, every Keralite still keeps this story to his mind | | | | state. "Pookalam" is the most interesting and |
| and heart, and this story keeps trickling down | | | | participative activity during Onam, this is initiated by |
| through generations. | | | | women and children. Nowadays flower carpet |
| Its holiday season during onam, most schools and | | | | competitions happen all over the state. The most |
| colleges are closed down for Onam holidays. Children | | | | common place where you can find these |
| and youth take a major initiative for the celebrations. | | | | competitions is the schools and colleges. Children bring |
| There are many activities happening during Onam, | | | | flowers, and make a flower carpet in front of their |
| which witness active participation of every malayalee | | | | house. Long pyramid structures are kept besides the |
| irrespective of religion and caste. Children would be all | | | | carpets, these clay models represents "Mahaballi". On |
| around playing games, there would be swings tied up | | | | "Thiruonam" day the" Sadhya" (lunch) would be at |
| to big trees. The best of the weather in Kerala is | | | | the "Tharavadu" - traditional home with all the family |
| during the season of Onam during August and | | | | members. "Sadhya" is the traditional lunch of Kerala |
| September, warm and sunny moderate climate. The | | | | with almost twenty five different dishes served in a |
| land looks vibrant, being considered as the harvest | | | | plantain leaf with rice as the major ingredient. Women |
| festival too, the fields look brilliant with farmers | | | | take active participation in the preparation of |
| happy to get their harvest. That makes the | | | | "Sadhya". It is normally consumed by sitting on the |
| Celebration in the villages more like an extravaganza. | | | | floor with the legs crossed; the leaf would also be in |
| Everywhere it's the time for homecoming most | | | | the floor. And after that there would be "Payasam" |
| people around the world try to come home to | | | | (Dessert) served on the leaf itself. "Payasam" may |
| celebrate Onam. Everybody plans this out quite in | | | | be of different variety, at least there would be three |
| advance and it is hard to get a ticket in the last | | | | varieties of "payasams" served in the end. |
| minute. | | | | By the end of the tenth day everyone would be in |
| The series of memorable events come to the mind | | | | their blues saying goodbye to family members and |
| of anyone who has celebrated Onam, some of them | | | | "Mahaballi". The holidays are over and it's time to get |
| for example would be the Snake boat race that | | | | back to schools and work. The experience of joy |
| happens very close to the Festival which makes it a | | | | and fun with all family and friends during the festive |
| part of the festival. Onam will not be complete | | | | season is the reason why everyone comes back |
| without the flower carpet called "Pookalam", the | | | | home for Onam. |