Onam Is Here

Another year and Onam is finally here!! Onam is the festival of Keralites. It is celebrated regardless of religion, caste or creed by everyone. It is the time of year when the sun comes out for the harvest season and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of flowers and banana chips.

Mythology has it that Kerala was once ruled by the great ruler called Mahabali. His reign brought prosperous and peaceful times to his kingdom. The gods were envious of his success that they send Vamanan to kill him. For centuries keralites believe that King Mahabali visits his loyal citizens and to see the prosperity in the land during the time of Onam. Traditionally Keralites welcome their king by making an Athapoo (design of flowers on the ground) and by eating vegetarian food on banana leaf.

The season of Onam brings lot of traditional Kerala events like Pulikali, Maram Adi, Snake Boat Race, Athapoo, ..... etc. Pulikali is a tiger dance where people paint themselves in yellow and dance around like tigers. Maram Adi is an Ox race (mentioned in my previous blog). Snake Boat race is a trilling boat race where lot to people row on a long boat. Onam is famous for the Onam Sadya (lunch), which is lunch served on a large banana leaves with lot of colourful side curries. Banana chips is a famous snack during Onam. Ladies wear white sarees and Men wear white Mundu (or dhoti). Ladies dance around a lamp which is symbolic to Onam.

On this day, with my stomach filled with banana chips, I would like to wish all my Keralite friends "A very happy and prosperous Onam".