Onam is one of the most significant harvest festivals of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of

people outside and within the State. All the activities during this season are centered on worship,
music, dance, sports, boat races and good food. This festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month
Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September).
Onam is a harvest festival and celebrates the reward of nature after a year of hard work. The merry-
making of the festival includes an elaborate procession of Trichur and amusing boat races on River
Pampa. Women dress up in heavy jewellery, new saris and make complex and detailed designs of
"rangolis" and "pookkalam"(with flowers) in front of their homes.
Onam is celebrated in the memory of King Mahabali. It was said that King Mahabali ruled Kerala a
long time ago and looked after the welfare of the people. Thus Onam shows the blissful rule of the
King and the freedom, which the people enjoyed under his rule. The people also believe that during
Onam, the King returns to Kerala to pay a visit to his people.
The people in Kerala arrange for this festival by cleaning up their houses and decorating them. On
the occasion of Onam, everybody in the family wears new clothes. Delicious sweets and dishes are
prepared and served on the banana leaves.
'Pookalam' a flower mat is visible outside every house. This mat is a symbol of welcoming King
Mahabali. On the eve of Onam, traditional rituals are performed and the people celebrate the
occasion with a grand feast.
'Payasam', a sweet and tempting porridge is one of the favourite desserts served on the eve of Onam.
'Vallamkali' or a great boat race is an attractive feature of this festival. In this game hundreds of men
row the boats to the beat of drums and cymbals.
An interesting thing to note is that above each boat there is a scarlet silk umbrella and gold coins are
hung from the umbrella. This event is extremely popular with various boats competing with each
other in order to win the race.
Not only Hindus but Christians and Muslims also celebrate Onam. It is one such festival that unites
all the people regardless of race and religion. The colourful festival of Onam is an attraction for
thousands of people within Kerala and outside the State. The State Government itself has taken the
initiative to celebrate Onam season as tourist festival with the motive of attracting tourists. Various
cultural forms, old and new, are presented in all-important towns in the state during the festival.
In Trichur, a vibrant procession with resplendently caparisoned elephants is taken out. There is
magnificent display of fireworks. The temple at Trikkakkara (where the legend of Mahabali is
beautifully depicted) is one of the major attractions of the Kerala's festivities.
The Vallamkali (boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam. Some of the sites famous for these
races are Aranmula on the Pamba River in the Kuttanad region, Papiyad near Quilon, and
Thayathangadi near Kottayam.
At Shoranur, Kathakali dancers in gorgeous costumes enact the legends. Kovalam hosts a Kathakali
and native arts festival and a village fair, with handicrafts and cuisine predominating. A
Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales.
Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season, performers paint their
bodies in bright yellow, red and black spots and lines to resemble tigers, and dance to the loud beats
of percussion instruments like udukku and thakil.


Kerala is popular for the festival of Onam, where the people of Kerala celebrate onam with great zeal
and enthusiasm. Onam is one of the many harvest festivals in India, and is mostly popular in Kerala
due to the snake boat race.
Onam is a festival that is celebrated for ten days in the months of August- September. The day
begins with the cleaning of the houses and decorating it with the finest upholstery and spreads to
welcome the great King Mahabali. All the family members take great care in getting ready for this
festival and dress in their finest new clothes, after a bath. The people make sure that their day begins
after seeking the blessings of God and make a visit to the temple for their prayers and to present the
Gods with gifts.
The people of Kerala firmly believe in Onam being the festival of prosperity and this is the reason
why they make sure that they feed the poor and hungry so that their houses are blessed with
happiness and wealth. The people visit each other and give each other presents and money. The last
day of Onam is celebrated in great spirits where the people dance and sing and the people prepare
traditional dishes to offer the Gods.
The highlight of Onam festival is the Snake boat race. This race is very popular, not only in Kerala, but
worldwide, and people travel miles and miles just to be a spectator or be a part of this race. The
snake boats are decorated with flowers and loud colours and also draped with silks and
embellishments. The crowds are in their best spirits and celebrate with their boat race team, shouting
encouragements and singing boat songs. Onam is when Kerala is light up with the finest lights and
vibrant colours.