Happy Onam 2023: Atham To Thiruvonam- How To Celebrate Onam? 10 Days Of Colourful Celebrations Begin In Kerala

On Atham, Keralites will get up early to take a bath, pray, and start making their pookkalam, which are floral decorations spread out in front of homes to welcome the king. The flowers are gathered by men, while the designs are created by women using the flowers.

The pookkalam gets two additional layers of orange and yellow flowers the following day. Also, people will clean their homes and visit temples. The ten sacred flowers of Kerala are used to make pookkalams traditionally, although many other flowers are now used.

Families will start buying additional clothing and jewellery for one another on Chodhi, and the pookkalam will be covered in yet another layer of flowers. The men will buy a mundu, a garment worn around the waist, while the women would dress in a Kasavu Sari, a traditional Keralan clothing, on this day. Young girls wear Pattu Pavadai, the traditional clothing that distinguishes young girls from married women.

The Onam Sadhya, the centrepiece of the festival, begins with Vishakam. Onam Sadhya is a nine-course dinner eaten on a banana leaf that consists of 11 to 13 traditional foods. In many families, there may be up to 26 or 30 dishes.

The annual Vallamkali snake boat race takes place on this day. The Vallamkali races, which feature a magnificent parade, are held on the revered Pampa River. To witness the races and support their teams, spectators come from all over Kerala.

People who have migrated to different areas would visit their ancestral homes on the sixth day to celebrate with their loved ones. Also, they will trade gifts with one another. The pookkalam also includes fresh flowers.

Families will visit one another on Moolam and prepare a smaller version of the Sadya. Also beginning to be served in Hindu temples is the Onasadya, a dietary vegan feast. There are numerous traditional dance performances, including the Puli Kali.

The day is significant for Onam festivities. A Ma is a small pyramid-shaped clay idol made by devotees. The idol is also known as Poorada Uttigal because it is made on the day of Pooradam. Flowers are used to embellish each Ma.

Onam preparations are at their most intensive on this festival day. King Mahabali is said to have arrived in Kerala on this day, according to mythology.

The final day of the festival, Thiruvonam, involves the traditional welcome sign of rice flour batter being put into your homes. Along with wearing their new clothing, people give back to the less fortunate.