happy onam!!onam story updated page 2

Hello all the malayalee(kerala) members of KASTURI,

Oh Cool! Onam? I never heard of it! But Happy Onam Kasturians!

Well... its a festival celebrated by people of kerala... there is a long story behind it... its actually the return of a king who has supposedly ruled kerala long long time ago... who is supposedly very generous... the people in Kerala clean their house and does floral decorations coz they are assuming that this king will come to visit them during Onam... a google search wud b a good idea to get more info abt this...

happy onam aldo i m not really sure wat it really is neways

Happy Onam friends..Well i guess i know 2 of Keralaits here..Jaanu and Meyis..Happy Onam to both of u andi like to wish the people who r silent readers too..🤗.. sindhu

Happy Onam to all the Keralites and others too...😃

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a

harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people

of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to

welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of

Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of

August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day,

Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the

state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate

feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all

are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It

promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates 'Tourist Week' for Kerala

during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to

be a part of Onam.

The Legend
Story goes that during the reign of mighty asura (demon) king, Mahabali, Kerala

witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king

was highly regarded by his subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one

shortcoming. He was egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali's character was utilized by

Gods to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing

popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a

boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached.

It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all

efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that

they are happy and wish him well.

Onam Celebrations
Rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day

long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala

make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya,

prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential

dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor

to have the meal.

Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the

river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of

boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men

go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery),

Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural

activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front

courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are

two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like

Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Pookalam

Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor.

Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a

ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations.

'Pookhalam' consists of two words, 'poov' meaning flower and 'kalam' means colour

sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known

as 'Aththa-Poo' during the festival of Onam.

People believe the spirit of their dear King Mahabali visits Kerala at the time of Onam.

Besides making several other arrangements, people, especially adolescent girls prepare

elaborate Pookalams to welcome their most loved King.

Making of a Pookalam
Kilo and kilos of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are

the basic essential of an eye catching Pookkalam.

Athapoovu are usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of

flowers, petals and leaves. Use of powder colours, desiccated coconut or artificial

flowers is prohibited. Pookalams are normally laid on the front court yard of the

house. Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and

worshiped. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.

Ritual of making the flower mats continues for all ten days of Onam. Designing starts

from the day of Atham and is made ready by Thiruvonam day. Basic design is

prepared on the first day. Size of a Pookalam is increased by adding more to it on

every passing day hence a massive Pookalam gets ready for the main day of the

occasion. Its a big creative task, as designers have to think of a new design ever day.

Various flowers are used on each day as a specific flower is dedicated to each day of

Onam. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu,

Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or

Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora). Of

all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookalam as they are

small in size and glitter in the the soft rays of the sun. 'Thumba Poo' is also considered

to be the favourite flower of Lord Shiva and King Mahabali was a devout worshipper

of Shiva.

On the next day of Onam, Thumba flowers are used to decorate Onapookalam. The

arrangement is not touched for the next 15 days. On the 15 th day, called 'Ayilyam',

Pookalam is decorated again. On the next day, called Magam, Pookalam is given a cut

in its four corners with a knife. This marks the end of Pookalam decorations for the

year. Some also follow the tradition of erecting a small pandal over the completed

flower carpet and decorating it with colourful festoons.

Making of Pookalam is itself a colourful and joyous event. Being a team effort it helps

to generate feeling of togetherness and goodwill amongst the people. It is animating to

watch women as they prepare Pookalam while singing traditional songs. Giggling and

sharing jokes between the thought provoking and back breaking job.

Trends
Earlier, people used to make efforts to collect flowers for designing a Pookalam.

Children used to get up early in the morning and gather flowers in their small 'Pookuda'

(basket) from the village gardens. These days, the trend has changed and people have

the option of buying flowers from the market in the shape and colour of their choice.

Pookalam decoration competitions are organised by various societies and groups all

over the state on the day of Onam. They have become extremely popular and witness

huge public participations. Big prizes are also kept in these contests as they have

turned up to be extremely competitive events. A large number of people assemble just

to have a look at the innovative and meticulously prepared art pieces.

A beautiful design, though it is said, is created in the heart, use of technology is also in

vogue in designing of a Pookalam. People prepare design first on computer and then

implement it on floor. This saves a lot of time and energy and helps the designers to

come up with stunning Pookalams.

One of the most marvelous facets of Onam is the unfolding of its rich and

well-established culture. We see not just glimpses but a whole gamut of it in the

ten-day-long carnival. Pulikali, Kaikottikali, Kummattikalli, Kathakali, Thumbi Thullal

besides several other folk arts and traditions can be seen on one platform called

Onam.

Of Unity and Team Spirit
The beauty of the festival lies in it's secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and

communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create

an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on

the day.

Onam is the passion of the people of Kerala. And, pride of India!

hope u understand this 😳