Onam is the most important festival of Kerala. This year it falls on 29 August. The festival is being celebrated with full vigor by all sections of the society irrespective of cast, creed or religion. The celebrations last for ten days culminating on thiruvonam day. All family members normally assemble in their ancestral homes and have a grand feast. Ladies enact special dance program called kaikottikali and youngsters play pulikkali, tug of war, onathallu etc.
The legend behind the onam festival is as follows-
In ancient times, Kerala it was told was ruled by a king called Mahabali. People were very happy with the rule of the king. There was no theft, cheating or any type of quarrel among the people. As per legend, every year King Mahabali visits his kingdom (kerala) in the month of Chingam (August - September) to find out the wellbeing of his people. Onam is also known as harvest festival and symbolizes the home coming of king Mahabali.
As part of the celebrations, flowers are laid in front of houses in different style and formats(pookkalam) . Children in villages go out early in the morning and pluck the flowers.
Flower arrangement(pookkalam)
Kaikottikali
Ona sadhya
Boat races are generally conducted during the onam period. Nehru trophy boat race is the most popular one. This is usually held in the second week of August at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha district. Large number of foreign tourists generally come to witness the boat race.
Onakkodi
Onakkodi (new dresses) is an important part of festival. It is the custom to gift new dresses to all the family members and they are expected to wear these to welcome erstwhile king Mahabali.
Now a days onam is being celebrated in a grand scale abroad also - USA , UK, Middle East etc.
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