Kalaripayyattu, the martial art, the serene backwaters, the lush greenery all around, the coconut groves, colourful Kathakali dances, the fragrance of coconut oil and jasmine flowers, the vibrant boat races and the crisp coconut chips- Kerala is all about these and more. It is also about Onam.Celebrated all over Kerala with equal fervour, Onam falls at the end of August or beginning of September, depending on the positioning of the stars and the moon; this year it falls on August 31. Onam is a time for sports, festivities, dressing up in all finery, churning out delicacies and reminding oneself of the all-pervasive nature of the Divine. Like most festivals of India, Onam too has a few interesting legends associated with it.

Click here for legends on the festival

Highlights of the Festival

Celebrations are on for ten days, beginning with the Atham day of the Malayalam month Chingam. During this festival the whole state dresses up in all its splendour and grandeur. Ten days of feasting, boat races, songs and dance are part of this festival. Women dressed in traditional finery decorate the entrance of their houses with colourful Pookalam or floral decoration. Earthen mounds, which look like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are also placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. After traditional prayers and worship, the head of the household presents new clothes to the family and friends. The entire state of Kerala bears a festive look during these ten days. Each town wears a Mardi Gras look. Special shows of dance, folk arts, music, fireworks and martial arts are held at different parts of the city. Nights are spectacular with fireworks and lamps decorating the entire city. The air is rich and festive with the fragrance of flowers, incense, and the music of the Panchavadyam. Elephants decorated spectacularly are taken out in processions. This is also the time when Kerala's timeless art forms come alive around you. While on the one hand you get mesmerized by the sound and fury of the "Kathakali", on the other you give into the sensuous sashays of the Mohiniyattam, performed by nubile young women dressed in white and gold. Apart from these, there are charming dances like Kailottikkali, Koodiyattom, Thumbithullal and Pulikkali performed specifically for Onam. The Vallamkalli or the boat race is another event that is synonymous with Onam and is best seen at Aranmulla and Kottayam. This festival has a very secular character with the Hindus, Muslims and Christians celebrating it with equal enthusiasm.

Food

Traditional feast of Kerala called Sadya or Onasadhya - is dished up readily during Onam. The Onasadya is a very elaborate meal. Originally it comprised of 64 courses and included about 64 items, eight varieties, each of eight dishes, such as the pickles, thorans and payasams. To accommodate this mind-blowing number of dishes, three banana leaves were laid out one below the other! However, today, due to the break down of the joint family system, and the faster pace of life, the number of items has dwindled to 21. Every family in Kerala prepares the Sadya according to its means. In fact, there is a Malayalam proverb that reflects the importance of the feast - Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanum - which means that one may even sell off all one's possessions to celebrate Onam with the traditional feast.

More about the food

- Deepa