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Onam is one of the famous festivals of South India. It is mainly celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Southern state of India, Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival and generally falls in the Malayalee month of Chingam (August-September) every year. There are a number of legends related to the festival. According to one of the famous legends, the legendary king of Kerala, Mahabali, pays a visit to Kerala every year during this festival and ensures the well being of the citizens of the state.

The main purpose of celebrating Onam is to thank the God for good harvest, re-union of families and friends and the welcome of King Mahabali to the state. A number of rituals are followed in the ten day celebrations of Onam festival.

Apart from this, it is a time for various cultural and sports events in Kerala in which men, women and children take equal part. Some of the famous events include ‘Thumbi Thullai’ (fold dance performed by women), Pulikkali and Kaikotti Kalli. Snake boat race of Kerala (Uthratadhi Vallamkali) is one of the major events which is witnessed by a large number of visitors from far off places.

On one of the important days of Onam festival, Thiruvonam, a lavish feat is organised wherein friends and relatives enjoy the lip-smacking food and make merry. Some of the favourite cuisines include Payasam, Rasam, Sambhar, Thoran, Olan, Avial, Banana Halwa etc. Houses are well decorated during the Onam festival. Ladies make Rangoli with colours, rice flour and flowers in the front courtyard of their houses.

Some of the major games conducted during the Onam festival include Onakalikal, Talappanthukali, Kayyankali, Attakalam, Ambeyyal and Kutu Kutu. Apart from this, the royal elephant procession held in the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur, is one of the events which attracts a number of visitors to witness the event. Elephants are beautifully decorated with golden plates made with intricate designs, which are put on the forehead of elephants. Umbrellas made with silk and satin with long stem are put on the back of elephants which make the sight of the procession more attractive.

Pulikali artists paint their body beautifully in the form of a Tiger and entertains viewers by performing hunting scenes. Kathakali dance and Kalleri martial arts performances are other attractions of the festival.

The Snake Boat Race competition is one of the most enchanting attractions of the Onam festival which attracts a large number of viewers from various parts of the world. This competition is named after the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, who started the rolling trophy of Nehru Boat Race on his first visit to Kerala after the independence of India.

The beautiful boats made in the shape of a snake specially for the competition, are generally 100 feet long and have the sitting capacity of 150 men. The front portion of the boat is curled in the shape of Cobra Snake hood and the boat is made of ‘Anjli’ wood. The boats are well decorated with scarlet and green silk umbrellas, flower garlands, ornaments and tassels. Boat race is held on Pamba river at Aranmulla on the fifth day of Onam festival. Team members participating in the boat race include around 25 singers to boost the other 125 oarsmen.

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