10 Days Of Onam Carnival

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Onam is the most important festival of Kerala. Onam is celebrated as a welcome ceremony for King Mahabali, who according to a legend, visits it's subjects once in a year.

According to the Legend, the mighty asura, king Mahabali was one of the most successful rulers of Kerala. Under his regime, there are prosperity and success in Kerala. He had one weakness and that is ego. God's took advantage of his weakness and punished him for his egoistic nature. However, because of his good deeds, they allowed him to visit his kingdom once in a year. This day thus, stared being celebrated as Onam.

Onam, is celebrated on the first month of Malayalam calender, which according to Gregorian calender is the August Month. Onam is celebrated for 4 days or 10 days and each day has it's own significance.

10 Days Of Onam

1.Atham - Atham heralds the first day of Onam celebration. On this day, people take early bath, then make the traditional Pookalam. Pookalam is floral mat, which is laid in the courtyard, to welcome king Mahabali. The Pookalam is a true definition of art. It is designed beautifully and different flowers are used for each day. A swing is also decked up with flowers and hung from high branches of the trees. The day time of Atham is marked by children swing on the floral swing and singing Oonjal songs.

Special delicacies prepared on Atham consists of steamed bananas and fried pappadam (pappad). This breakfast remains the same till the tenth and the last day of Thiru Onam.

A grand procession called Athachamyam. Athachamyam, was the trip which the king made across Kerala till the Thripunithura Fort. That tradition is being followed till date. Elephants, music and art presentation and other events mark the significance of the procession.

With such epitome of grandeur, starts the celebration Onam.

2.Chithira – This is the second day of celebration. This day is all about praying to the lord and remaking the Pookalam. Different set of flowers are used to decorate the Pookalam.

The whole day is spend in decorating it and every house flaunts their own exquisite Pookalam. Flowers decorate the houses in kerala and pave the path for king Mahabali.

3.Chodi – Chodi is the day dedicated to shopping and visiting relatives. Family members distribute gifts among each other and children. The market place is cramped with people and gold jewelery are also bought in this season. There is no other specific ritual for Chodi.

4. Visakam – Visakam makrs the fourth day of the Onam festival. Not more days are left for the big day and the excitement is at it's peak. Interesting traditional cuisines are stirred in every household which includes Onasadya on Thiruvonam.

Pookalam competition is held on this day and young girls. Singing and dancing on traditional Kerala tunes dress the Onam season.

5. Anizham – Anizam, the fifth day of Onam witnesses the grand Snake Boat Race, called Vallamkali. Huge boats are dressed with flowers and rowed by hundreds of men. The race is held on river Pamba at Aranmulla. Tourists from all across the world come specially to witness the boat race.

The boats used in this competition are called chundan vallams participate in Vallamkali. The boats are rowed in the rhythm of the vanchipattu or boat songs.