India is a country with rich traditions and cultural diversities. There are a number of social and religious festivals. Every region has its own share of festivals celebrated by a particular community. A lot of local carnivals are held in every State round the year. Some festivals are exclusively celebrated by particular groups of people. Onam is the national festival of Kerala. It is unique in many ways. Perhaps no other festival except Onam is so commonly celebrated by one and all in the State. It transcends all barriers of religion, caste and social status. Keralites all over the world welcome this harvest carnival which, by its nature, promotes the spirit of brotherhood and unity.
Onam brings forth a jolly mood to the minds of the people as well as to the nature. Onam, which comes either in August or in September, brings with it shiny days, bidding farewell to the Malayalam month of 'Karkidakam', which is normally considered as a month of scarcity and heavy rains. In case monsoon happens to be active during the Onam week, it can diminish the festivity and glory of this popular occasion. The Thiruonam star day of the Malayalam month, Chingam, is the important Onam day. This year Chingam 9 (August 25) is the Thiruonam Day.
Spirit
People celebrate Onam with the loving memory of their benevolent legendary King Mahabali. The Malayalees lovingly call this emperor of great sacrifice as Maveli. People believe that during the Thriruonam day, Mahabali visits Kerala to see his subjects again. According to legend, he returns from the netherworld (Pathalam) where Vamana (Lord Vishnu) had pushed him down.
Onam is celebrated as a State festival in Kerala under Government auspices. Onam brings with it the trade fair season and the tourist week celebrations. The Onam month can be called as the Malayalees money-spending season. The employees, both in private and Government organisations, get their salaries, festival advance, bonus etc. early to enable them celebrate Onam grandly. A large number of temporary shops mushroom all over. All available space in the towns are occupied by temporary stalls which do a roaring business during the festival. The Onam fairs organised by the State government provide essential commodities to the people on moderate prices. Competitive reduction and credit sale, especially in textile shops, is a speciality of this season.
A grand dinner in every house of the poor and the rich alike is the main feature on this occasion. The poor families are usually interested in celebrating by buying dresses and kitchenwares. Labourers get foodgrains and agricultural products from the landowners as Onam gift. The Onam feast is traditionally served on plantain leaves. The availability of ready made Onam feasts in hotels, bakeries and fast food joints of late has, however, diminished the traditional charm of this age-old cultural festival of Kerala. It appears that the new generation is more interested in enjoying the entertainment programmes telecast by different TV channels than engaging themselves in the real Onam merriment and games.
During the week-long Onam this year a happy atmosphere will prevail in every part of the Kerala. Onam helps the people forget boredom and gloom, at least momentarily. In a life full of tensions, problems, restlessness and conflicts, Onam celebrations symbolise the people's desire for a peaceful and harmonious co-existence. The spirit of Onam symbolises all that is noble in life.
Onam brings forth a jolly mood to the minds of the people as well as to the nature. Onam, which comes either in August or in September, brings with it shiny days, bidding farewell to the Malayalam month of 'Karkidakam', which is normally considered as a month of scarcity and heavy rains. In case monsoon happens to be active during the Onam week, it can diminish the festivity and glory of this popular occasion. The Thiruonam star day of the Malayalam month, Chingam, is the important Onam day. This year Chingam 9 (August 25) is the Thiruonam Day.
Spirit
People celebrate Onam with the loving memory of their benevolent legendary King Mahabali. The Malayalees lovingly call this emperor of great sacrifice as Maveli. People believe that during the Thriruonam day, Mahabali visits Kerala to see his subjects again. According to legend, he returns from the netherworld (Pathalam) where Vamana (Lord Vishnu) had pushed him down.
Onam is celebrated as a State festival in Kerala under Government auspices. Onam brings with it the trade fair season and the tourist week celebrations. The Onam month can be called as the Malayalees money-spending season. The employees, both in private and Government organisations, get their salaries, festival advance, bonus etc. early to enable them celebrate Onam grandly. A large number of temporary shops mushroom all over. All available space in the towns are occupied by temporary stalls which do a roaring business during the festival. The Onam fairs organised by the State government provide essential commodities to the people on moderate prices. Competitive reduction and credit sale, especially in textile shops, is a speciality of this season.
A grand dinner in every house of the poor and the rich alike is the main feature on this occasion. The poor families are usually interested in celebrating by buying dresses and kitchenwares. Labourers get foodgrains and agricultural products from the landowners as Onam gift. The Onam feast is traditionally served on plantain leaves. The availability of ready made Onam feasts in hotels, bakeries and fast food joints of late has, however, diminished the traditional charm of this age-old cultural festival of Kerala. It appears that the new generation is more interested in enjoying the entertainment programmes telecast by different TV channels than engaging themselves in the real Onam merriment and games.
During the week-long Onam this year a happy atmosphere will prevail in every part of the Kerala. Onam helps the people forget boredom and gloom, at least momentarily. In a life full of tensions, problems, restlessness and conflicts, Onam celebrations symbolise the people's desire for a peaceful and harmonious co-existence. The spirit of Onam symbolises all that is noble in life.
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