Preparation of Onam Embracing Tradition and Culture
- utsavhub.com
- 23 April 2024
- Festival Preparation Tips
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Creating Floral Rangolis (Pookalam)
Weeks before Onam, households begin crafting intricate floral rangolis, known as Pookalam, at the entrance of their homes. These colorful designs, made from vibrant flower petals, symbolize the welcome extended to the legendary King Mahabali, whose spirit is believed to visit Kerala during Onam.
Harvesting Rice and Preparing Traditional Meals
Onam marks the harvest festival in Kerala, and preparations begin with the harvesting of rice from paddy fields. Families gather fresh produce and ingredients to prepare a lavish feast known as Onam Sadya. Traditional dishes like avial, olan, and payasam are lovingly cooked and served on banana leaves to commemorate the abundance of nature.
Adorning Homes with Decorations
Homes are adorned with colorful decorations, including intricately designed floral arrangements, banana leaves, and coconut palm fronds. Traditional lamps, known as nilavilakku, are lit to illuminate the surroundings, creating a warm and inviting ambiance for festive celebrations.
Shopping for New Clothes and Gifts
In the days leading up to Onam, families engage in shopping sprees to purchase new clothes and gifts for loved ones. Markets and shops are bustling with activity as people select traditional attire like kasavu sarees and mundu for the occasion. Exchanging gifts symbolizes goodwill and strengthens social bonds.
Decorating Elephants for Processions
Onam festivities often include grand processions featuring caparisoned elephants adorned with ornate decorations. These majestic creatures, with their elaborate headdresses and vibrant costumes, add a touch of regal splendor to the celebrations as they parade through the streets to the beat of traditional music.
Arranging Cultural Performances and Competitions
Community gatherings and cultural events are organized throughout Kerala to showcase the state’s rich heritage and artistic traditions. Traditional dance forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, along with folk music performances and boat races, entertain crowds and evoke a sense of pride in Kerala’s cultural legacy.
Building Floral Floats for Boat Races
One of the highlights of Onam is the thrilling boat races, known as Vallamkali, held on Kerala’s backwaters. Months in advance, teams meticulously craft ornate floral floats, or chundan vallams, to adorn their racing boats. These elaborately decorated vessels compete in friendly yet fiercely contested races, captivating spectators with their speed and grace.
The preparation of Onam is a joyous celebration of Kerala’s vibrant culture and age-old traditions. From crafting floral rangolis to indulging in sumptuous feasts and cultural performances, every aspect of Onam reflects the deep-rooted values of unity, hospitality, and gratitude that define this auspicious festival.
