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| Source: animaastrologer.com |
It’s Onam on the 28th of this month. Onam is a festival celebrated by Malayalis in Kerala or in any other part of the world to mark the homecoming of the Great King Mahabali. It is also said to mark the harvest season for Kerala. The festival lasts for ten days and is celebrated with a great splendour.
The first day of this ten-day celebration is called Atham and the tenth and the biggest day is called Thiru Onam. The spectacular festival attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and globe.
Here are the main aspects of the wonderful festival:
Pookkalam
Pookkalam refers to making designs with different types of flowers in front of the gate of one’s house. With each passing day during the Onam festival, a new layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam. At some places Pookalam competitions are held.
Pookkalam refers to making designs with different types of flowers in front of the gate of one’s house. With each passing day during the Onam festival, a new layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam. At some places Pookalam competitions are held.
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| Source: en.wikipedia.org |
Onasadya
This is the grand meal prepared on the day of Thiru Onam. Onasadya meal is served on a Banana leaf and is a nine course meal having at least four to five vegetables. The number of vegetables in the meal varies from house to house but most of the well off families cooks nine to eleven dishes for the Onasadya. Restaurants offer as many as 30 dishes for the Onasadya.
Onakalikal
This refers to all the games played at the festival of Onam. Talappanthukali which is a game played with a ball is a favourite of the men. They also indulge in Ambeyyal (archery). Women engage themselves in making Pookalam and performing several traditional dances.
Vallamkali Boat Race
Also known as the snake boat race, this is one of the most entertaining events of the Onam festival. Nearly about 100 boatmen compete with each other in a boat riding competition. The boats are decorated beautifully in different patterns. Men and women from across the state come to witness this race.
Elephant Procession
The elephant procession is one of the most awaited events of Onam. The majestic animal is decorated with flowers, ornaments in gold and other metals. The elephant is made to take a round of the entire town of Thrissur where this procession is held. The elephant dances and interacts with people through small gestures.
Folk dances
Other major attractions of the festival include the folk dances performed by the women. Kaikottikali is a clap dance performed on the occasion of Onam. Women performing the dance sing praises of King Mahabali. Women also perform a dance in a circle. This dance form is called Thumbi Thullal.
*Image Credit:
animaastrologer.com
en.wikipedia.org
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