Rituals Associated With Onam

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Onam is one of the biggest and most popular festivals of Kerala. The Onam festivities continue for a period of ten days. However the most important days of the festival is the 'Atham' or the first day, and the last day, 'Thiru Onam'.

Like other festivals of India, Onam also has it's own set of rituals. As it is the Indian harvest festival, the farmer community celebrates it with great enthusiasm. They follow certain traditional rituals and customs like putting up Rangolis made of flowers known as the pookalam, singing, dancing and much more. It is a perfect time for family get-together, sumptuous feast and of course the famous Snake Boat race of Kerala!

Let us have a look at the various rituals which are associated with Onam:

The Atham or The First Day

The celebrations start from the Atham day. This is an auspicious day for the people of Kerala. They bathe and offer prayers at the local temple. The making of the pookalam starts from this day. Girls make decorative pookalams in front of their houses in order to welcome King Mahabali in whose honour the festival is celebrated.

Utradam Or The Ninth Day

This day is especially significant for the farmers community. The members of every family gift presents to the eldest member or head of the family. The present is usually the farm produce such as vegetables, coconut oil etc.

Thiru Onam

Kerala looks absolutely fabulous on the final day of Onam. The festivities begin with the cleaning of house early in the morning. Then elaborate prayers are offered to the Gods by the eldest member of the family.

Onam Sadya

Onam Sadya or the Onasadya is the grand meal which is served on the final day of Onam. This elaborate meal consists of 11-13 kinds of strictly vegetarian dishes which are laid out on the banana leaf. There is a fixed order of serving the meal and a set place for every dish to be served on the leaf.

Traditional Games And Dance

After the grand meal, people indulge in various fun filled activities such as singing, dancing, games etc. A set of traditional games to be played on Onam is collectively known as the Onakalikal. It includes ball games, combats, archery and Kutukutu. Women indulge in dancing and singing. A special clap dance called the Kaikotti Kali is performed on Onam.

The Snake Boat Race

On the fifth day of Onam, the great Snake Boat race is organised. The snake boats known as the Vallamkali are decorated and taken into the river for boat race. Each boat includes 150 men. The team spirit and the unity of people is the most significant feature of the Snake Boat race.