Onam is a ten-day festival of Kerala, celebrated as a harvest festival of Kerala with a great pomp and enthusiasm. The festival is an attraction for countless people outside and within the region. During the festival, all the activities are centered on worshiping, music, dance sports, boat races and delicious cuisines. Onam festival falls in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and starting of September). This harvest festival of Kerala is celebrated the reward of nature after a hard working year. The joyous masking of the festival takes account of an elaborate procession of Trichur and entertaining boat races on 'River Pampa'.
On the day of festival, numbers of women bedeck themselves with highly ornaments and wear precious sari to seem gorgeous and make multifarious and detailed designs of 'Rangolies' & 'Pookalam' with multicolour flowers in front of their abodes.
A long time ago, there was king named Mahabali who ruled Kerala for several years and looked after the welfare of the people that is why in the memory of king Mahabali, Onam festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festival exhibits the heavenly rule of the king and the freedom, which the people took pleasure under his ruling. People believe that on the eve of Onam, the king returns to Kerala to pay a visit to his people.
On the occasion of Onam festival, people of Kerala clean and adorn their abodes & Homes and each member of the dynasty dresses up in new clothes in addition mouth-watering sweets and dishes are prepared and offered the banana leaves. 'Pookalam' a flower mat is visible in front of the each home and it is a symbol of welcoming king mahabali. On the occasion of Onam, traditional rituals are performed and the people celebrate the festival with a grand feast. 'Payasam' a sweet and tempting porridge is one the most preferred desert offered on the occasion of Onam.
On the eve of the Onam, 'Vallamkali' or a great boat race is one the most attractive features. In this game hundred of men queue the boats to the beat of the drums and cymbals. Only one motivating thing to memo is that above each boat there is a red & silk umbrella and gold coins are hung from the umbrella as this event is exceptionally popular with assorted boats competing with each other with the intention of wining the race. The festival of Onam not only falls for Hindus but also falls for Christians and Muslim to celebrate in a big way in the memory of King Mahabali who ruled Kerala for a long time.
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