Top 6 Onam Celebrations in Kerala
Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala. While this is essentially a Hindu festival, it is now celebrated by people of all religions. The government also promotes Onam in a big way. Both private and government employees receive their bonus during this time. Schools across the state remain closed for ten days. In addition, the government distributes free Onam kits to all families below the poverty line. These kits include most items including rice required to prepare Onasadya (the festival feast). The government also ensures that the state-funded Maveli stores from where one can buy rice and other items at subsidized rates are well-stocked for Onam. Incidentally, Maveli (or Mahabali) is the mythical king whose homecoming is celebrated as Onam. Such is his popularity that the word Maveli inspires trust in the minds of all Malayalis.
Unlike Diwali or Navratri, Onam does not incorporate any religious symbols or rituals. You are not required to do any special Pujas or observe fast during this occasion. Rather these ten days are meant for celebration.
So if you are in Kerala during this season or if you want to celebrate Onam in the state, here are the top 6 Onam festival attractions for you.
Stunning floral carpets (Onappokkalam) are the first image that comes to mind when one thinks of Onam. Every Hindu family in the state (and Malayalis living outside of Kerala as well) lays out a beautiful flower rangoli in front of their home on all ten days of Onam. While these floral carpets tend to be smaller in size, the tourism department lays out elaborate ones in various places of the state. Temples and various cultural organizations also arrange Pookkalams in front of their gates. If you are in Kerala during these days, look out for these flower rangolis. You will find them on every street. In addition, various clubs, schools, colleges and offices organize flower rangoli making competitions throughout the state.
Beautiful flower rangolis are laid out in front of every home to welcome the mythical king Maveli.
Kerala Tourism Department offers special homestay packages for those who want to get involved in the preparation of a Pookkalam or other Onam celebrations.
Thripunithura Athachamayam
The Athachamayam procession showcases the various dance forms of Kerala
The Athachamayam kicks off Onam festivities in the state. It is a colorful procession that showcases the cultural legacy of Kerala. The procession includes festooned elephants, colorful floats, traditional Kerala orchestra and various folk and temple art forms native to the state. Many of these folk dance forms are becoming extinct and now events like Atthachamayam are the only opportunity to watch them. The procession starts from Tripunithura (a suburb of Kochi) and ends at the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara (also known as Thrikkakara Temple). The entire town is decorated for the procession with street stalls and floral arrangements. Floral rangoli (Pookkalam) making competitions are also held.
Where: Tripunithura, near Ernakulam in greater Kochi.
When: September 4, 2016 (On Atham, the first day of Onam).
Celebrations at Thrikkakara Temple
If there is one temple that is directly associated with the Onam celebrations in Kerala, it is the Vamanamoorthy Temple at Thrikkakara. Onam celebrations are said to have started from here centuries ago. Onam festivities at the Thrikkakkara Temple starts on Atham (September 4, 2016) and continues for ten days (until September 14, 2016). The celebrations start with a flag hoisting ceremony. The temple will host various cultural programs and music and dance performances during these ten days. The highlight of the celebrations is the grand procession held on Uthradam (the 9th day of Onam aka first Onam). Vamana, the presiding deity of the temple, is taken out and carried around the temple on an elephant followed by several festooned elephants.
Where: Thrikkakara village, about 15 km northeast of Ernakulam.
When: September 13, 2016 – On First Onam or Uthradam. This is the day before Thiruonam (the tenth and most important day of the celebrations).
Onam Week
Kerala Tourism Department organizes week long Onam celebrations at various venues in Thiruvananthapuram. The programs include classical dance performances, drama and folk art programs. Want to taste authentic Kerala cuisine? Well, KTDC has put up several food stalls for tourists. Handicraft fairs are also organized. The grand parade organized on the last day is the culmination of the festivities.
Where: Around 20 venues in and around Thiruvananthapuram.
When: September 12-18, 2016.
Feasting
Onam is incomplete without Onasadya (Onam feast). Onasadya is served on a banana leaf and eaten with the right hand. An elaborate Sadya may consist of over 20 vegetarian dishes. Of course, most families will not manage to prepare so many items. Who has got the time? Even so, they will cook enough items to fill the banana leaf. Not serving a sadya on Onam is blasphemous. On Thiruvonam (September 14, 2016) a large number of restaurants in the state serve Onasadya for tourists and other people who can’t be with their family on this special occasion. Keep in mind that Onasadya is a vegetarian fare as most Hindus in the state do not eat non-vegetarian stuff on special occasions like this.
Where: Restaurants in cities across Kerala.
When: Thiruonam (the main Onam day). September 14, 2016.
Pulikkali
Tigers invade the streets of Thrissur as part of Onam celebrations.
Pulikali (Tiger Play) is the highlight of the Onam celebrations in Thrissur district. Hundreds of grown up men dress up as tigers. Actually, they get tiger faces and stripes painted on their belly and other body parts. They also wear tiger masks and dance to the tunes of traditional percussion orchestra. They then roam around the streets to entertain the huge crowds gathered on either side of the roads. There is something quirky about Pulikali but you must appreciate the time and effort they take to dress up. Before the skin can be painted the performer has to remove every strand of body hair. Actually it takes at least four hours to decorate one person. And after the performance the dancers have to pour kerosene on their body to remove the paint. Even so, every year hundreds of ‘tigers’ rampage through the streets of Thrissur and entertain thousands. There are prices for the best dressed tiger and best dance. While Pulikali is part of Onam celebrations, it is organized after Onam.
Where: Swaraj Round in Thrissur.
When: September 17, 2016.
Aranmula Snake Boat Race
Aranmula Utrattathi boat race
Snake boat races are an essential aspect of the Onam celebrations in Kerala. They are mainly organized in the districts of Kottayam and Alappuzha. The Aranmula Snake Boat Race is perhaps the oldest boat race in the state. It has strong religious association. This is not exactly a race. Actually it is organized to commemorate the installation of the idol at the Parthasarathy (Lord Krishna) Temple in Aranmula. Over 50 decorated snake boats participate in this event which starts in the afternoon.
Where: The banks of River Pampa near the Parthasarthy temple in Aranmula. Aranmula is a 30-minutes drive from Changannur railway station.
When: September 17, 2016.
