Onam Festival commemorates the annual visit of mythical king Mahabali. Keralites consider their state to have experienced its golden age during his rule.
It is also considered as a harvest festival. It is celebrated by all Keralites irrespective of caste and religion.
Celebration Related to Onam
It is a ten day celebration that start with the star Atham and ends Thiruvonam. Thiruvonam is the most important day.
Pookkalam : It is a part of celebration where flowers where decorated and arranged in certain shapes on the floor. Competitions for making pookkalam is also conducted.
Onam Lunch (Called as OnaSadhya) : It is a feast mostly using vegetables including 21 different dishes. Rice is served with 21 dishes. Instead of sing plates it uses banana lef for serving the food.
Boat Race (Called as Vallam Kali) : Various boat races were conducted in revers like Pamba. Snake boat is one of the major boat race during the period. Nehru Trophy Snake boat race and Aranmula snake boat race are the major boat race.
Traditional Dance : Thiruvathira is the one of the most prominent dance during Onam celebration. It was mainly played by women with traditional dresses. It is performed in circular motions with some around a lamp called ‘Nilavilakku’. Also puli kali those who dressed as tiger and dances in the street.
Source : General Topic
Topic
GS I : Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Current Affairs Compilation : 1 September 2020