Kerala Onam Celebrations Tour

The First Day - The first of the ten days, Atham marks the beginning of festival. Girls decorate their house courtyard with Pookalam, designer floral carpet. People take bath and offer prayers in their local temples. Breakfast comprising of steamed bananas and fried pappadam (pappad) is served to the members of the family. This breakfast is served continuously for ten days of the festival.

Athachamayam, a grand procession is carried out at Thirpunithura and Piravam. The procession with caparisoned elephants, musical ensembles as well as folk artists performing their art skills reflects the glorious royalty of the time when king Mahabali ruled the region.

The Second, Third & Fourth Day - Day two (Chithira)and three(Chodhi) of the festivals do not have any set activities. The pookalam is given more designs and freshness. Shopping for gift items occupy a major part of the fourth day, Visakam.

The Fifth day - Fifth day, Anizham has an extremely special event being organised. This is the internationally renowned the Grand Snake Boat Race event called Vallamkali. The Snake boat race is organised on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmulla with thousands of audience cheering the oarsmen rowing to the rhythm of vanchipattu or boat songs. the event instills immense enthusiasm amongst the people and the excitement of the festivals climbs yet another level.

The Sixth & Seventh Day - By sixth (Thriketa) and seventh (Moolam) day, Keralaites staying away from their family, in other parts of India or even abroad start pouring in to be a part of the mega event on the tenth day.

Day eight & Nine - Day eight (Pooradam) is when the devotees begin to create clay pyramid shaped idols which is called Ma or Poorada Uttigal. The idol is decorated with flowers and worshipped.

Uthradam, the ninth day sees the festivities climbing a new high. Infact, for many Onam begins on the ninth day itself. This is the day of giving gifts and meeting other people warmly. The Utradam tenants and dependents of Nayar Tarawads (traditional large joint families with a single kitchen) gift their farm products to the eldest member of the family and are in turn feasted with sumptuous meal. Other people of the village also gift their work of art and are rewarded for the same.

The Tenth Day - Finally the tenth day ends the long wait and Thiruonam arrives with enthusiasm, happiness as well as devotion dominating the atmosphere. People take bath and wear new clothes. Prayers are offered at individual houses as well as the local temples. Pookalam, which is made anew every day till now takes its biggest and most elaborate form as girls prepare the most beautiful of all the pookalam.

In the afternoon, Onasadya, the grand lunch with eleven to thirteen compulsory dishes is served before the family members. Various cultural events are organised throughout the state to mark the events. The sky looks wonderful with numerous firecrackers being burst.

Few rituals are carried out on the eleventh and the twelfth day also but majorly, the event culminates with Thiruonam itself.