Onam 2024: How this festival is celebrated in Kerala?

Onam 2024: All Malayalees celebrate Onam, which is regarded as an auspicious event. This is mainly celebrated in Kerala with immense devotion. One of the most important religious festival, observed by the Malayali population worldwide is Onam. This festival features a variety of cultural events, including boat races, dancing performances, Rangoli, vibrant artwork, food, and traditional attire. There is a lot of fanfare and celebration surrounding this festival. The Onam festival is taking place on September 15, 2024, this year.

Onam 2024: Celebration and Rituals

1. Malayali ladies decorate the east side of their houses with "Pookkalam," or floral patterns. A flower rangoli called pookalam is created using fresh yellow flowers. It is regarded as a fortunate symbol.

2. The Snake Boat Race is the name given to Vallamkali. It is among Kerala's most well-known customs. This is a popular tourist destination.

3. All males practice the art of pulikali. In this custom, artists paint their bodies in the shape of tigers and move to the rhythm of drums. Onam's fourth day is dedicated to its performance.

4. People invite their friends and family to a large party known as "Onam Sadya." Rice, vegetable curry, curd, and payasam, a sweet stew, are among the thirteen meals they prepare and serve on banana leaves. On the third day of Onam, it is completed. Onam is considered incomplete without Payasam. Rice, coconut, milk, and sugar are used in its preparation.

5. People perform the Kathakali dance style, which narrates a Hindu mythological story. The men are the ones that practice this art form primarily, and they dress in costumes. Other dances performed at Onam include Thiruvathira, Pulikali, Kummattikali, Thumbi Thullal, and Onam Kali, in addition to Kathakali.

6. Various cultural events and celebrations take place in the temples and other places of worship on the tenth day of the festival. Elephants are adorned with decorations, and a lavish parade is being conducted.

7. Thiruvonam is the primary event. The third and fourth Onams, Avittom and Chatayam, are also observed as Onam days. To clear the Pookalam, people get ready for King Mahabali's departure. The Onathappan clay statues are submerged in a river or the ocean.