10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE ONAM

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Onam is the harvest season in Kerala, which Malayalis celebrate with a lot of love. The vibrant festival welcomes the arrival of King Mahabali, who used to rule Kerala as per legends. The festivity happens for ten days, the second day the most important. On this day, it is believed that the king visits the homes of his people and witnesses the vivid welcome.

Onam arrives in the Malayalam month called Chingam. The festival brings families and friends together and is celebrated with a huge pompadour. Here are the ten ways in which Onam is celebrated.

1. Pookkalam

Pookkalam is a bed of flowers in which different colors of flowers are arranged to make an aesthetic rangoli. This flower arrangement is completed in front of the house or entrance. All family members sit together and help each other to create the Pookkalam.

Many schools and colleges arrange the flowers; many competitions happen there. People wear traditional clothes; men wear Mundu and women the Kerala saree Kasavu.

2. Worshipping Onathappan

This is another must-have ritual during Onam. People prepare the idol of Onathappan, also called Thrikkakara Appan, using clay or mud; it is the idol of King Bali. There is a pyramid-like structure with a flat top which people place in the rice flour; they also place this in the middle of Pookkalam. Here the pyramid is four-faced which represents the four stages of human life.

3. Pulikali(Tiger Dance)

During Onam, this is a must-have dance celebration. Here the performers decorate themselves as tigers and hunters. They paint themselves to replicate a tiger-like appearance and attach a tail. The hunters also come in their costumes with dummy guns and present the act. Drummers refine this performance by adding the right beats; a huge crowd gathers to witness the act.

4.Vadam Vali( Tug Of War)

This also happens in the other performances of Onam. People come in two teams, pulling the two ends of a rope. Both teams keep pulling the rope until one team rags another to the central line, so the team wins.

5. Vallam Kali

This means the competition for snake boats. These boats are prepared and decorated for Onam, where a major race event happens among many boats. Many men pedal these huge long boats; every team competes with one another.

This is one major attraction of Onam, for which tourists come from all over the world and witness this unique and enthralling competition in the water.

6.Kummattikali( Mask Dance)

This is a dance in which people wear colorful masks made of wood. The dresses of these dancers are made of grass, and this dance is also famous worldwide. Kerala is known for Kummattikali, which also attracts a large crowd of tourists.

These performers perform for everyone, collecting small gifts such as rice and other things from every home. The purest form of this dance takes place in the Thrissur district and Bhadrakali temple in Palakkad.

7. Onathallu( Martial Arts)

The men of the Nair community perform this act in which they demonstrate martial arts. This is one of the traditional performances that were there centuries ago. Here the men create a battle-like environment and pair up. They participate in the combat and take the war cries. This happens under careful supervision and after plenty of practice.

8. Thumbi Thullal(Women's Dance)

Thumbi Thullal is a dance performed by the women of Kerala; it remains a traditional folk dance. Women wear the traditional Kerala saree with jewelry that completes the look and mesmerizes their appearance. They also put the jasmine flowers in their hair which releases enchanting fragrance.

The lead singer sits in the middle; other singers follow the group song. A rhythmic clap also happens as a compulsory part of this dance.

9. Thiruvthira Kali

In this dance, women wear their traditional saree and form a circle. A lamp is placed in the center; the dance is known as Kaikottikali. In this, a lot of hand clapping happens along with dance steps. Women of all ages participate in this performance, having a great spirit of celebration.

10. Onam Sadhya

Sadhya is the giant feast that happens during Thiruvonam. It is prepared in every home in Kerala; the meal includes all seasonal vegetables and freshly harvested rice. The meal is served on banana leaves placed on the floor; all the family members eat together.

This is a nine-course meal, including starters and desserts. This is also one of the important things to have during Onam, without which the festivity is incomplete. Every household prepares Sadhya as a presentation to their king that their household is happy and fulfilling.

This year Onam will be celebrated on August 30, continuing until September 8.