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FESTIVALS
- Onam
- Atham pathinu ponnonam
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For quick
reading about Onam
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 The
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.
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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.
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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. |
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‘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. |
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 Different
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.
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Pookkalam |
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