Onam Festival: Celebrations, Attire, and Origin

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala. It is a massive harvest festival celebrated primarily by the Malayali people across the globe. It usually falls in the months of August or September (the Malayalam month of Chingam) and lasts for 10 days.

According to Hindu mythology, Kerala was once ruled by a great and generous Asura (demon) king named Mahabali. His rule was so perfect and his people so happy that even the Gods became jealous. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Vamana (a dwarf Brahmin) and banished King Mahabali to the underworld. However, due to his good deeds, Vishnu granted him a boon: Mahabali could return to visit his beloved people once a year. Onam is celebrated to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali back to Kerala.

• The Attire: The traditional Onam attire is incredibly elegant. Women wear the beautiful Kasavu Saree (a pure white saree with a golden border). Men wear a white Mundu (dhoti) with a golden border, often paired with a white shirt.
• Pookkalam: People decorate their front yards with intricate, beautiful carpets made entirely of fresh flower petals (called Pookkalam) to welcome the King.
• Onasadya: The grand Onam feast, called 'Sadya', consists of over 26 different vegetarian dishes served on a large banana leaf.
• Vallam Kali: The famous snake-boat races are held on the rivers of Kerala during the festival.