ARE YOU EXCITED TO CELEBRATE ONAM FESTIVAL AND TO TASTE THE DELICIOUS ONAM SADHYA?
According to the Malayalam calendar, Thiruvonam falls on the 22nd nakshatra in the month of Chingam and overlaps with August-September in Gregorian calendar. It is believed that the annual harvest festival of the state which is known as Onam is celebrated to commemorate the King Mahabali. According to legends, Mahabali is said to visit Kerala at the time of the festival.
Along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, this harvest festival is one of the major three Hindu annual celebrations of Kerala and it is observed with numerous festivities. Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali (Boat Race), Pookkalam ( Flower Carpet or Rangoli), Puli Kali (Tiger Dance), Onathappan (Worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (Women's Dance), Kummattikali (Mask Dance), Onathallu (Martial Arts), Onavillu (Music), Kazhchakulla (Plantain offering), Onapottan (Costumes), Atthachamayam (Folk songs and dance) and so on.
Onam is a festival which makes the Keralites one and this official state festival start with Uthradom( Onam Eve) with public holidays. Across 30 venues in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, the major festivities takes place and also throughout the world it is celebrated by Malayali diaspora Even though Onam is a Hindu festival it brings all other religions ( Christians and Muslims) together considering it as a cultural festival.
Other customs on the occasion of the festival are buying and wearing new clothes and this tradition is known as Onakkodi. Also, Malayali Hindus welcome Thrikakkara Appan or Onathappan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) by installing the images of them in their houses like Hindus welcome Ganapati or Lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Also in front of the temples, a palmyra tree is erected and surrounded with a wooden balustrade which is covered with the tree leaves. According to the Mahabali legend to signify that the King Mahabali went to Patala as a sacrifice the palmyra tree erected which covered with the leaves is lit with a torch and burned to ashes. Also during Onam festival, many lamps are lit in Hindu temples in Kerala.
Especially in the rural areas of the State, the swing is another important part of the celebrations. Decked in their best young women and men sing Onappattu or Onam Songs and enjoy the harvest festival on swings slung from high branches. This season is also associated with the creativity that the weavers and potters go for excess production to meet the increased demand of the people for their products. Creativity is known in the North part of Kerala including regions Kasargod and Kannur, where the people have more demand.
During Onam or post- Thiruvonam people especially school students indulge in various kinds of games and dances which are known as Onakkalikal. Onakkalikal includes Pookala matsaram, food eating competitions, Uriyady, Ox races etc.
ONAM SADHYA
The very important and unavoidable part of Onam festival is the Onam Sadhya. This Onam Feast is either made in the house of Kerala people or they will attend any celebrations to taste the grand food. This indispensable part of Thiruvonam is a traditional food which reflects the spirit of the season. The Sadhya is made with seasonal vegetables like yam, cucumber, ash gourd and so on and the food is served on the plantain leaves. The Onam Sadhya is served with unlimited number of curries and dishes with rice. It includes Pappadam, various vegetable curries and soups, different kinds of pickles, Banana chips, Sharkaravaretti, Puliinji, Thoran, Aviyal, Kaalan, Mezhukuparatti, Olan, Sambhar, Erisheri, Rasam, Puliseri, Kichadi, Pachadi, Moru, Coconut chutney, and so on and the feast ends with a series of desserts like Payasam. The main part of the Sadhya Rice is usually the Kerala Matta.
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