Onam: The Happiest Cultural Festival of Kerala

In South India, particularly in Kerala, the Onam festival is celebrated with

tremendous grandeur. Onam is known for its good agricultural yields in the fields.
This festival usually starts between 15th-22nd of August and runs for ten days. In
the society, this festival spreads the message of fraternity and brotherhood, and
harmony. The immense tourist interest that this festival brings to Kerala is what
sets it apart. People from all around the world gather to witness this spectacular
event.
The unique feature of this festival is that on this day people do not worship in
temples, but pay their tribute at home. In the context of this festival, it is said that
there was an Asura king named Mahabali in Kerala and people celebrate Onam in
his honor. People also celebrate it for the harvest and produce. Onam is
celebrated for ten days. During this, there is also Kathakali dancing and singing
along with the snake boat race.
When is Onam celebrated?
This festival celebrated on Shukla Trayodashi of Shravan month is also called Tiru-
Onam. In the month of Shravan, greenery is seen all around in every part of India,
but in Kerala the weather becomes very pleasant in this month. A new zeal, new
hope and new faith awakens in the minds of people in the joy of ripening the
harvest. In this happiness, worship of Shravan deity and goddess of flowers is
done in every house.
This time due to Corona virus, the brightness of the festival of Onam has faded.
This festival is very special. As the worship is not done in temples, but people
worship by staying at home. Families celebrated this auspicious occasion by
worshipping the demon king, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha at their homes.
There is a story behind celebrating this festival which is quite famous.
The Story Behind Onam
The story behind this festival is that there was a demon king named Mahabali in
Kerala, for whose honor it celebrates Onam festival. Along with this, people also
celebrate this festival for the production of new crops. During this festival,
Kathakali dance is organized along with snake boat race, whose style is very
special.
The Boat Race
People know Onam especially for its boat race. And it is one of many attractions
of this festival. The boat race is called Vallamukali. There are big long boats in this
race and there are 20 to 40 people who run them.
There is also a special dish of this festival which is called Vallasan and it is cooked
in every household. On this day, steamed banana dishes are eaten in the morning.
This breakfast is called Nemdrum. This is a special type of banana, which grows
only in Kerala. Like other festivals, good dishes are prepared in this festival too.

The 10 days Festival

In Kerala, the festival of Onam lasts for 10 days, on this day worship is done in
homes. Flower-planet is made inside the house. Flowers are placed in a circular
pattern in a clean room, which is decorated for eight days in a row. The idol of
Lord Vishnu is kept inside the house on the ninth day. In whose worship the
people of the house are present and people sing songs. Along with this, Shravan
deity and Ganapati are worshiped at night and the idol is immersed on the 10th
day.
Preparation for Onam
Its preparations start ten days before the festival of Onam. A flower-house is built
in every house and after cleaning the room, flowers are decorated in a circular
form. The program of flower decoration goes on for the first eight days of this
festival. On the ninth day an idol of Lord Vishnu is made in every house. It is
believed that the sustainer—Lord Vishnu protects the one celebrating from evil
eye and relinquished wealth, health, and blesses the family with prosperity.
Since, Onam is also the celebration of healthy agricultural produce. Women light
earth lamps around the house and show their gratefulness for the fresh harvest.
Lord Vishnu is worshiped for bridging light and prosperity by the women of the
family dance around the idol and clapping their hands. This dance is called
Thappatikali. Idols of Ganesha and Shravan deity are made at night and idol
immersion is done after worship in the evening. It is believed that by immersing
the idols in water, it takes away all the evil and bad vibes from the house.

End Note
The Kerala government celebrates this festival as a tourist festival. During this, the
cultural heritage of Kerala is made on sight. On the occasion of Onam, the whole
of Kerala comes alive with events like boat competition, dance, music, banquet
etc. This festival symbolizes the joyful embrace of the beauty of life of Keralites.
This festival is one of the most colorful festivals of India.