Onam is regardedas the most important the biggest festival of Kerala.
But, there is a lot more to Onam than being just a festival. Onam
reflects the faith of the people of Kerala; A belief in their legendary
past, religion and power of worship. It shows the high spirit of the
people who go out of the way to celebrate the festival in the prescribed
manner and a grand fashion. It portrays the true cultural heritage and
past of Kerala. All the rituals and traditions associated with the
festival shows how rich is the heritage of India. Onam is celebrated as
a harvest festival. It is celebrated at a time when everything appears
so wonderful. The beautiful landscape of Kerala can be seen in its full
radiance at this time of the Malayalam New Year. Weather, it seems, also
seeks to be a part of the festival. It contributes by becoming
pleasantly warm and sunny. Fields look brilliant with a bountiful
harvest. Farmers feel on top of the world as they watch the result of
their hard labor with pride. The festival showcases the unity among
people.
The beauty of the festival lies in it's secular fabric. People of all
religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy
and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and
brotherhood by way of various team sports organized on the day. One of
the most marvelous facets of Onam is the unfolding of its rich and
well-established culture. It portrays the culture through various
activities. We see not just glimpses but a whole gamut of it in the
ten-day-long carnival. Pulikali, Kaikottikali, Kummattikalli, Kathakali,
Thumbi Thullal besides several other folk arts and traditions can be
seen on one platform called Onam. Women take special interests in making
special arrangements to welcome Onathappan. Flower carpets are laid in
the front courtyards with dedication and full sincerity. A grand meal is
prepared on the day of Thiru Onam. It is on this day that Maveli's
spirit visits Kerala. Delicious meal consists of best of Kerala cuisine
including avial, sambhar, rasam, parippu and the payasam adds more color
to the festival. Onam is the passion of the people of Kerala. And, pride
of India!
