Rooted in the myth of the demon-king Mahabali, Onam is easily the biggest and the most popular festival of Kerala. Celebrated with fervour during the Malayalam month of Chingam, this unique cultural extravaganza extends to ten days – the most significant being the first and the last - Atham and Thiruvonam. Legend has it that Mahabali, the erstwhile ruler of Kerala who was banished to the nether-world by Lord Vishnu under the guise of the Brahmin boy, Vamana, visits his subjects on Thiruvonam.

During the ten day-long festival, Keralites, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, lay out pookalams, those intricately patterned floral carpets, at the entrance of their homes to welcome their benefactor and king. Displayed at the centre of these exquisite creations are charming clay figurines of deities – thrikkakkara appan – adorned with intricate designs from rice paste.

There are some set rituals for each day and the people of Kerala dutifully follow them. Apart from Atham and Thiruvonam,the ninth day – Uthradam - is also considered to be extremely important in several parts of Kerala.

The delicious onasadhya, strictly vegetarian feast is another highlight of this colorful festival. With over 20 side dishes and payasams served on a plantain leaf, it is an elaborate and grand affair.

Ten days of Onam
Onam festivities commence on Atham, ten days prior to Thiruvonam. Hence Atham is regarded as holy and auspicious by Keralites. Chithira marks the second day of celebrations; not many rituals are performed on this day but people do offer their prayers to evoke the divine blessings.

The third day of the ten day long festival of Onam is called Chothi or Chodi. The day is marked by loads of activities. Frenzied shopping can be witnessed in the markets as everybody buys new clothes and accessories during Chingam. The excitement builds up on the fourth day - Vishagam or Vishakam. Since the number of days left for the big days are few now, the excitement becomes obvious among the people. Brisk activities in the market and households can be witnessed on the day of Vishakam.

A major attraction of Anizham, the fifth day is the grand Snake boat race event called Vallamkali. This hugely popular competition is held on river Pamba at Aranmulla. A multitude of domestic and international tourists come to witness the colorful spectacle. On Triketa and Moolam, the sixth and seventh days, cultural programmes and social gatherings are organized by various malayali associations around the world. On Pooradam, the devotees create clay idols called Mathevar. As the idol is created on the day of Pooradam, it is also called Poorada Uttigal. Each Mathevar is decorated with flowers. On the ninth day - Uthradam, the tenants and dependents of large traditional joint families bring the produce of their farms or the product of their toil to the Karanavar (eldest member of the Tarawad). These gifts from the tenants to the Karanvar are called Onakazhcha. Karanvar greets these people warmly and treats them to a sumptuous spread on Thiruvonam.

Thiruvonam
The celebrations that begin on Atham, reach a crescendo on Thiruvonam. In the town of Trichur, a vibrant procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out. While at Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales. Performers painted to resemble wild tigers, dance to the beats of instruments like udukku and thakil. At Aranmulla, a temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna where thousands of people gather to witness the exciting snake boat races. Nearly 30 chundan vallams or snake boats participate in the festival, singing traditional boat songs. Each snake boat belongs to a village and is worshipped like a deity. Every year, the boat is oiled with fish oil, coconut shell and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and boat slippery in the water.

The swing is another hallmark of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and women decked in their best sing Onapaattu or Onam songs and rock one another on swings slung from high branches.

Regional Celebrations

Athachamayam
Athachamyam is a major procession that heralds the advent of Onam. It is celebrated with lots of excitement on the day of Atham at Thirpunithura and Piravam. The event stems from an ancient royal tradition when Maharajas of one-time Kochi State as a custom traveled to the Thripunithura Fort with their entire entourage. Today, even in the absence of the King, the custom retains its regal charm. Some of its attractions include performances by folk artistes, caparisoned elephants, musical ensembles and dance shows by skilled artistes.

Boat Race

The immensely popular Snake boat race or Vallamkali at Alappuzha is held a few days before Thiruvonam. A large number of big and decorated boats called chundan vallams participate with hundreds of boatmen. The rhythmic rowing of boats accompanied by songs and drum beats makes the race a captivating event. The event is promoted as a major tourist attraction of the state of Kerala and draws a large number of domestic and international tourists. Much credit for the success of the snake boat race goes to Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who was so charmed by this colorful event that he instituted a trophy for the race.

Aranmula Uthrittathi
This is another superb boat event organized in connection with Onam. This annual event takes place on the day of Uthrittathi Asterism at Aranmula. It’s a re-enactment of the mythological tale of Lord Krishna crossing the river on that particular day. It is assumed that the spirit of the Lord is present on all the boats hence there is no competition of any sort in this event.

Processions of Elephants
Trichur, the cultural capital of Kerala, celebrates the Onam in its own inimitable style. Here, a procession of decorated elephants does the rounds and young children particularly take great delight in watching their favorite animal. Songs, dance and merry-making are a part of this event.

Celebrations at Cheruthuruthy
Onam celebrations at Cheruthuruthy, are marked by the Kathakali performances by the best artists of the state. Folk from across Kerala, congregate in this tiny hamlet to watch the enactment of scenes from the epics.

Pulikali/Kuduvakali
This could very well be the most hilarious among Onam customs; the performers dress up like tigers. They paint their bodies yellow with criss-crossed patterns of black and red. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tigers being hunted by humans are beautifully depicted through this folk art.

Kummattikali
This is another recreational folk dance from the state of Kerala, particularly South Malabar. Attired in plaited grass and huge colorful wooden masks, Kummattikali performers can be seen entertaining people during Onam.
Athapoo Competitions
An integral tradition of Onam, Pookalam has come up as an art form. Competitions for decorating Pookalams are organised all over the state. Creativity of the designers is unleashed through such competitions as they come up with innovative designs each year.

Kaikotti Kali/ Thiruvathirakali
Kaikottikali is an elegant dance performed on the occasion of Onam. As they dance around the pookalam, women sing songs praising the renowned King Mahabali. At the center of this is placed a lit bronze lamp called nilavilakku.

Thumbi Thullal
Thumbi Thullal is a folk dance performed by a group of women who sit in the formation of a circle. The lead performer sits inside the circle and initiates the song. Onakalikal is refers to all the games played on the occasion of Onam. Traditional games of Onam constitute rigorous sports like Talappanthukali, Kutukutu and mock-combats like Kayyankali and Attakalam. Archery is also a part of onakalikal.