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When it comes to cultural ambiance, no state can beat the true vibrancy of God’s own country, “Kerala”. It is one of the favorite states among tourists all over the world who search for the best travel deals online while coming to India.
Onam, one of the primary holidays observed by the Malayali Hindu community, commemorates the start of the yearly harvest season in southern India. It is celebrated with tremendous zeal, followed by numerous activities across Kerala, and is considered the official state festival. For visitors arriving on last minute flights to Kerala, the festival takes place in the first month of Chingam, which corresponds to August-September in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival commemorates the golden rule of Mahabali, a mythological monarch who governed Kerala. According to tradition, the devas and gods plotted to terminate King Mahabali’s reign because they were jealous of his popularity and power. They dispatched Lord Vishnu to earth as a diminutive Brahmin, who stomped Mahabali to the netherworld. Vamanan requested three feet of land from the benevolent Mahabali as he desired. Vamana measured the entire cosmos with his first two feet, leaving his third feet nowhere to stand. Mahabali gave his head to set his third foot, completing the request. Finally, Lord Vishnu granted the king’s only wish: to visit his kingdom and people once a year, which is celebrated as Onam in Kerala every year.
The love to know the Onam, the fourth big festival observed in Malayala, takes place in September on the day of the new moon (not always). International tourists always have the curiosity of knowing the significance of every festival when coming to India before searching for the best travel deals online. The rain stops in Malabar on about the 10th of September. All of nature appears to be regenerated; flowers sprout new, and trees blossom; in a nutshell, this season is the same as what Europeans call spring. This celebration appears to have been established to request a good and productive year from the Gods.
It lasts eight days, and during that time the Indians decorate their homes with flowers and smear them with cow dung, since the cow, as previously said, is a holy animal dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, the Indian Ceres. On this occasion, they also put on new clothing, discard all of their old pottery, and replace it with new. The guys, particularly the younger ones, divide into two groups and shoot arrows at each other. These arrows are blunted, yet extremely powerful, and are fired with such force that a significant number are typically injured on both sides. These games have striking similarities to the ancient Greek and Roman Cerealia and Juvenalia.
Onam occurs in the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. The ceremonies celebrate the Malayalam New Year and last 10 days, culminating with Thiruvonam. Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam, and Thiruvonam are the 10 days in order. The first and last days are very significant in Kerala and among Malayalee populations overseas.
The celebrations on Atham day begin at the Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple (Kochi). With the hoisting of the festival flag, this Vishnu temple is regarded as the focal point of Onam and the residence of Mahabali. There are colorful parades that reflect features of Kerala culture with floats and tableaus.
Every year, Onam begins with a procession called Athachamayam.
The Onam celebrations in Kerala begin with a huge parade called Atthachamayam in Thrippunithura near Kochi, also known as Thripunithura Athachamayam. The parade includes adorned elephants walking, drum beats and other music, traditional art forms, floats, and individuals wearing masks. Historically, the Kochi king would lead a spectacular military parade from his palace to the Thrikkakara shrine, greeting and greeting his people. This is a state-sponsored event in modern times.
Floral Rangolis are a tradition during Onam.
During Onam, the Thrikkakara Appan Onathappan idol (a symbol of the Vamana avatar) is found within Pookalam. Tourists booking last minute flights to Kerala involve in this activity a lot. The floral Rangoli, also known as Onapookkalam, Athapookkalam, or simply Pookkalam, is made from gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of varying hues pinched up into small pieces to design and decorate patterns on the floor, particularly at entrances and temple premises, similar to a flower mat. Lamps are placed in the center or around the perimeter. It is a work of religious art created by a group of girls and women with a delicate touch and a personal creative sense of tone and blending.
During Onam, the Thiruvathira Kali dance is performed. Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal, Onam Kali, and other traditional dance styles Thiruvathira Kali is a circle dance done by ladies around a light. Kummattikali is a mask-wearing dance. In Thrissur, there is a parade of caparisoned elephants surrounded by Kummatikali dancers. The masked dancers perform the colorful Kummattikali from home to house. Onam Kali is a type of dance in which participants create rings around a pole, tree, or light and then dance and sing songs from the Ramayana and other epics.
“The majority of international visitors who choose for the best offers on flight tickets to India come in monsoon special Karkidaka Chikitsa and then like to go and see Kerala and its history,” he says. “Onam is a great attraction for them because it allows them to see all the many hues of the state, such as Pulikali and Onapottan.” Every house is adorned for the holidays, and visitors may easily enjoy the Onasadya cuisine.”
Onam is a rice harvesting festival observed in Kerala, India’s southernmost state. Onam, which represents the return of the demon king Mahabali, is one of Kerala’s most famous and largest festivals, celebrated throughout the state. The event lasts ten days and is celebrated with tremendous zeal by the Keralites & travelers all around the world coming by the best travel deals online.
This year, Onam 2022 will begin on August 30, 2022 (Tuesday), and finish on September 8 (Thursday), 2022. Onam is commemorated on the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatram in the month of Chingam, according to the Malayalam calendar.
Visit Kerala during Onam, when the air is fragrant with bright marigolds.
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