ONAM

Onam Legends

Atham pathinu ponnonam

Pookalam

Onam Gifts & Greetings

Onasadya

Serving Onasadya

Payasa Mela

Vallamkali (Boat Race)

Onam Songs

The biggest floral carpet 2008

Largest Onam Pookalam 2010

 
 
FESTIVALS - Onam - Atham pathinu ponnonam
 
 

For quick reading about Onam

 

IxoraThe ten days are named as below:- Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Visakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam, Thiruvonam. There are no set rituals marked for these days.

The Atham day of Chingam, is the first day of the beginning of Onam celebrations. The earthen moulds are made, which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu and placed in the dung-plastered courtyards, in front of the house and beautifully decorated with flowers.

 
Athachamayam (August 19, 2015) a cultural procession takes place in the royal town of Tripunithura near Ernakulam, Kochi. Nearest railway station is Thripunithura, about 1 km away. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 30 km from Thripunithura.
Athachamayam (August 27, 2006),Tripunithura near Ernakulam-Kochi
 
The annual temple festival of the Vamanamoorthy temple at Thrikkakara, also coincides with Onam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is linked to the mythological background of Onam.

Boys and girls of the house will get the job of collecting and arranging flowers for the Pookkalm.
 
The ‘Uunjal aattam’ (swings) is another integral part of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and women, with onakkodi (new dress), sing Onappaattu (Onam songs), and swings one another. The whole hearted enthusiasm and celebrations. Gifts are also procured for everyone in the house including the servants. Some shopping is also done for relatives.
The ‘Uunjal aattam’ (swings)
 
 
 

PookkalamDifferent types of flowers are added to Pookalam on each day as each flower is devoted to a particular deity. As a result Pookalam increases in diameter on every day and gets a refreshing new design.

One of the important events, which attract foreign guests, is the Snake Boat Race called Vallamkali, which takes place on Anizham the fifth day of the Onam. This popular competition will be held on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmula.

This colourful spectacle of the race is popularly known as “Aranmula Vallamkali”.

A large number of long snake like boats called chundan vallams participate in Vallamkali. Each picturesquely decorated boat is oared by hundreds of oarsmen dressed in the traditional dhoti and turban. Boats are oared on the rhythm of songs called vanchipattu or boat songs. Vallamkali is essentially a team event any mistake in synchronizing the action by any of the oarsman can lead to overturning of the boat.

Utradam or Uthradam is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. There is jubilation all around as people prepare to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali. In some regions of Kerala festivities of Onam starts in a full-fledged way from Utradam itself and is known as the first Onam and the next day Thiru Onam as the second Onam.

On the day of Utradam tenants and dependents bring produce of their farms or the product to the Karanavar (eldest member of the Tarawad). These gifts from the tenants to the Karanavar are called Onakazhcha.

Karanavar greets these people and treats them with a sumptuous meal on Thiruvonam day.

On thiruonam day activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and participate in special prayers organized in local temples. Later a very special and the biggest of all days Pookalam, Flower mat, is prepared to welcome the king Mahabali.

Clay mounds in the shape of pyramids representing Lord Vishnu and Mahabali are prepared and placed in front of the Pookalam.

In the noon the grand feast of Onam called Onasadya is prepared. The strict vegetarian meal consists of 11 - 13 mandatory dishes and is served on a banana leaf.

Various cultural events like dances, games and different shows are organized all over the state. Women dressed in their traditional gold-bordered, off-white, ‘mundu and neriyathu’ and performing the very elegant folk dance Kaikottikali is another wonderful scene from the carnival of Onam.

Dances like Kaikottikali and Thumbi Thullal are the important games among women. Fire crackers are also burnt to add fun to the celebration. The eldest member of the family presents gifts and new clothes to the family members.

 
Read more >>>>>>>> Pookkalam
 
 
 
 
 
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