India is a land of diverse cultural flavors. From East to West, from North to South one can have a glimpse of the variety of festivals, foods customs, and languages. The harvest festival of Onam is celebrated in Kerala between the months of August and September. In different states in India, this festival is celebrated in different names as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Nab Anna in Bengal, Bihu in Assam, Lohri, and Baisakhi in Punjab, it means Indian culture celebrates a unified concept on the celebration of festivals.

This year people from god’s own country will celebrate Onam on the 21^st of August with great Zeal and grandeur, and too with a purpose to please God and goddesses of agriculture, to gain prosperity and their blessing for happiness in household. According to the Solar calendar of South India, Onam is celebrated in the month of Chingam when Thiruvonam nakshatra prevails.

There are different anecdotes behind the celebration of this festival, as Malayali-speaking natives believe that demon king Mahabali who was kind-hearted and loving, returned to Kerala and people celebrated his arrival with great glory and splendor. According to Vaishnav mythology, Gods felt insecure after being defeated by King Mahabali who took over three lokas- Akasha, Prithvi, and Pataal Lok. Lord Vishnu took Vamana avatar to control King Mahabali’s expanding kingdom. The king asked Vamana to ask for three wishes. He asked ‘three pieces of land. When the king started granting his wishes, he started growing and covered Akash and Pataal Lok. When he was about to take the third land, the king bent down and offered his head. Lord Vishnu became extremely pleased and granted his wish to visit his kingdom during Onam.

There are few unique features of this festival that can be observed in every household during this period.

The beautiful arrangement of colorful flowers in different geometrical designs on the floor of a large room or outside the house gives a festive vibe. It is called ‘Pookalam’, creates competition among hose-holds as to whose flower mat is most attractive.

Dance is an essential feature to express the mood of joy and festivity. The special folk dance of Kerala ‘Thiruvathira Kali’ is performed around the flower mat or a lamp. The women wearing traditional saree (which is white/cream colored with a golden border) move slowly in a circle according to traditional music. Other than this, the famous Kathakali and Pullikali dances are performed by professional artists in various parts of Kerala during Onam.

The next feature that marks the arrival of the festival is the special food known as ‘Onam Sadya’. It is cooked and served in a traditional way as a big portion of rice accompanied with various vegetables, chutneys, rasam, buttermilk, poori, and Yellaki banana are served on a big banana leaf. One may easily fall in love at its sumptuous sight.

The famous boat race Vallamkali provides a spectacular view of colorful boats, dashing down in the stream of the Pampa River.  People from different parts of India come to enjoy this boat race during the Onam festival.

In light of Covid 19 restrictions, there may not be as much glamor and show this year but people will certainly perform these rituals in a simpler and calmer way.