By: Carolina Tovar
María Paula Rueda
Daniela Bernal
What is Onam?
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.
When is Onam celebrated?
—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.
Onam celebrations
Onam dances
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.
Onam celebrations
Onam dances
—Kummatti kali
Kummattikali is the famous colorful mask-dance of Kerala, South Malabar in particular. During the festival of Onam, Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people.
Pulikali / Kaduvakali
Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam.
Kathakali
The festival of Onam is blessed with one very striking feather in its cap. The carnival witnesses the performance of unique and unparalleled dance-drama Kathakali. Amongst other places Shoranur, Kovalam and most importantly Cheruthuruthy get the honour of hosting Kathakali shows during the carnival of Onam.
Thumbi Thullal
Thumbi Thullal is a fascinating all women dance and singing event performed in Kerala on the occasion of Onam. While men engage themselves in energetic sports, womenfolk perform Thumbi Thullal and have their share of fun.
Kaikotti kali
Kaikottikali or Thiruvathirakali is an extremely popular folk dance performed by the maidens of Kerala. It is a group dance and is mainly performed on the occasion of Onam and Thiruvathira. Women, both young and old submerge themselves in the spirit of the occasion and dance with perfect ease and e¢lan.
Onam Recipes
Kummattikali is the famous colorful mask-dance of Kerala, South Malabar in particular. During the festival of Onam, Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people.
Pulikali / Kaduvakali
Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam.
Kathakali
The festival of Onam is blessed with one very striking feather in its cap. The carnival witnesses the performance of unique and unparalleled dance-drama Kathakali. Amongst other places Shoranur, Kovalam and most importantly Cheruthuruthy get the honour of hosting Kathakali shows during the carnival of Onam.
Thumbi Thullal
Thumbi Thullal is a fascinating all women dance and singing event performed in Kerala on the occasion of Onam. While men engage themselves in energetic sports, womenfolk perform Thumbi Thullal and have their share of fun.
Kaikotti kali
Kaikottikali or Thiruvathirakali is an extremely popular folk dance performed by the maidens of Kerala. It is a group dance and is mainly performed on the occasion of Onam and Thiruvathira. Women, both young and old submerge themselves in the spirit of the occasion and dance with perfect ease and e¢lan.
Onam Recipes
—Check out this extensive and delectable array of Onam Recipes! The collection consists of recipes for traditional and extremely popular Onam dishes. Try out these Onam Festival recipes with love and celebrate Onam with loved ones. And, in case you have created a delicious Onam Recipe of your own please write in to us. We shall carry your recipe on Onam along with your name in this largest website on Onam Festival.
—Parippucurry
—Injithair
—Sambar
—Avial
—Kalan
—Olan
—Thoran
—Puliinji
—Pineapple Pachhady
—Erissery
—Koottucurry
—Kootukari
—Sarkarapuratty
—Kaya Varuthathu
—Pappadam
—Payasam
—Prathaman
—Tomato Thokku
—Kheer
—Lady's Finger Kichadi
—Masala Pesarattu
—Coconut Chutney
—Medu Vada
—Masala Vada
—Idli
—Dosas
—Mor Kuzhambu
—Dry Fruit Kesari
—Banana Halwa
—Pulissery
—Mothagam
—Palada Pradhaman
—Pesarattu
—Rice Puttu
—Theeyal
—Tomato Rasam
—Dudhi (Chorekka) Pradhaman
—Onam Games exhibits bravado of the machos in Kerala in a terrific manner.
Onakalikal
Talappanthukali
Kayyankali
Attakalam
Ambeyyal
KutuKutu
Onam Festival.......
—Onam is a great festival where indian culture shows out. It is a really good expiriencer,if you have the opportunity to go to kerla please go to this festival you will never forget it.
