Onam or Thiruvonam is a traditional Hindu harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. Onam is one of the main festival of kerala. Onam Week starts on Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August September. Here we post about 6 Interesting facts about Onam 2022.
The festival Onam is celebrated by all Malayalees across the world. Onam celebration includes sevral festival activities like Vallam kali aka boat race, Pulikali , Onam Pookkalam using flowers , Onathappan , Tug of War aka Vadam Vali, Thumbi Thullal , Kummati kali , Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations.
Interesting facts about Onam 2022
1.Vallam kali
The vallam kali ( the snake boat race) is another major competitive event that is closely associated with the harvest festival of Onam. Numerous oarsmen row huge snake-shaped boats. Men and women come from far and near to watch and cheer the snake boats race through the water. This event is often featured on the Pampa River, considered sacred and Kerala equivalent of Ganges River. Major races include the Aranmula Uthrattadhi Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Onam Festival 2022 Interesting facts
2. Pulikali
Pulikali is another one of the Major sight that goes during the Onam season. This dance showcases performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, who dance to the beats of instruments like Chenda and thakil.
Atthachamayam
The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Atthachamayam, also referred to as Thripunithura Athachamayam. The parade features elephants marching, drum beats and other music, folk art forms, floats and colorfully dressed people with masks. In Kerala’s history, the Kochi king used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple, meeting and greeting his people. In contemporary times, this a state supported event.
Thrikkakara temple
At the Thrikkakara temple, every day of the festival showcases one or more of these activities including Kathakali, Thiruvathira, Chakyar koothu, Ottam thullal, Patakam, Onam songs and percussion instrument shows. The Onasadya here is grand in scale, and is attended by over ten thousand people from all religions and faiths. Festivities include Puli Kali (masked leopard dance) and traditional dance forms like Kaikotti Kali which are performed in various functions.
Onasadhya
Another most Iconic and delicious part of the festivities of Onam is the Onasadhya. Onasadhya is prepared on the last day of Onam, called Thiruonam. It is considered to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilization or cultures in the world.
The Meal Rice is the essential ingredient of this Nine Course Strictly Vegetarian Meals. All together there are 11 essential dishes which have to prepared for Onasadya. Onasadya is so elaborate a meal that it is called meals, even though it is consumed in one sitting. Onasadya is consumed with hands, there is no concept of spoon or forks here.
Related: Onam Wishes 2020
How to serve OnaSadhya
The food has to be served on a tender Banana leaf, laid with the end to the left. The meal is traditionally served on a mat laid on the floor. A strict order of serving the dishes one after another is obeyed. Besides, there are clear directions as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf. Rice is served when the guests seat themselves and just two big spoons is considered enough. After this ‘parippu’ and ghee is poured. Then comes Sambhar. Desserts are to begin with ‘adaprathaman’ followed by ‘Kadala Payasam’. This colourful arrangement on the lush green banana leaf makes the food look even more tempting and irresistible. Interesting facts about Onam 2022.