Onam-er Shuvechchhai!

Onam, Kerala's most popular festival, is here, bringing with it a wave of joy, happiness, and prosperity. Onam is a ten-day festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor throughout the state.

Onam commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king who is revered by the people of Kerala and is considered a symbol of prosperity, justice, and equality. Mahabali, after being banished to the underworld, is believed to visit Kerala for ten days each year, during the Onam festival.

Onam festival begins in the month of Chingam and the most important day of the festival is Thiruvonam. That day, people wear traditional attire, and join in the colorful Pookkalam competition, where intricate patterns are created on the floors of homes and temples using flowers. All over the state, people take part in traditional dances such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, boat races, traditional music and feast on a grand vegetarian feast on banana leaves, called Sadhya.

Sadhya is the highlight of the Onam festivities. It is a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, consisting of various dishes such as payasam (sweet rice dish), thoran (vegetable stir fry), olan (mixed vegetable curry), sambar (vegetable stew), rasam (spiced soup), papad, pickle, and many more. The feast is a symbol of the prosperity and abundance that Mahabali brought to Kerala.

Onam is also a time for family gatherings and social harmony. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate the festival, regardless of their religion or caste. Onam is a time for renewal, joy, and hope.
Shuvechchhai!