Kerala is famous for its rich legacy of cultural heritage that is manifested in its innumerable fairs, festivals, carnivals and other celebrations held regularly by the people in public and at their homes, irrespective of caste, creed, color or community. The cultural synthesis happened due to the state’s interaction with native and foreign cultures over the centuries. This diversity of culture has resulted in a colourful commingling of socio-religious fairs and festival celebrations that are occasions of joy, merrymaking, jubilations and cultural activities. These vibrant and vivacious festivities last throughout the year and form one of the major attractions for the traveler visiting Kerala.

Onam, Vishu, Navarathri and Shivarathri are some of the prime Hindu festivals celebrated by all Malayalies and Keralites in general. Bakrid, Id-ul-fitr, Miladi-sheriff and Muharram are the religious occasions among the Muslims, while Christmas and Easter are celebrated by the Christians in Kerala. Of these, Onam is celebrated by all sections of society throughout the state as the harvest festival. It is observed each year in the first Malayalam month of Chingom which falls in Aug-Sep. At the state level, it’s held as a gala event, with the celebrations comprising music, dance and other artistic activities and cultural performances, extending for 10 days at the various govt offices and public auditoriums. Preparations for Onam begin months in advance.

Onam is symbolic of the vitality and abundance of the sunny and cheerful spring season. Onam celebrations are held in traditional fervour by observing the rituals, sports and cultural activities associated with it. These include drawing the colourful ‘pookkalam’ or flower arrangement, visiting temples, presenting the ‘onakkodi’ or new clothes, and feasting on the ‘onasadya’, the conventional full-course meal with different types of dessert served on plantain leaves; exciting boat races or ‘vallomkali’ with hundreds of oarsmen rowing along the backwaters and the crowds cheering and singing; ‘pulikkali’ or prowling tiger dance among the youth; ‘thiruvathirakali’ or slow-moving rhythmic dance performed by the women around a lighted lamp, entailing graceful hand and foot movements. This prime social festival of Kerala, the origin of which can be traced back to an interesting legend, is celebrated across the state by all categories of people.

Vishu is the new year festival celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam corresponding to April every year. As it’s considered an auspicious day heralding fortune and abundance in the forthcoming year, it’s celebrated as an important occasion in the life of the malayaly. The rituals and customs of the early morning ‘kani kanal’, the giving away of ‘kaineettam’, the feast of vishu sadya and bursting of fire crackers are all held in fervour by the malayalies.

The Muslim and Christian festivals are celebrated in fasting, prayers and rituals at the places of worship and homes, and other traditional customs. They are also great occasions for family reunions and joyous get-togethers among friends and neighbours who indulge in gifting sweetmeats and a lot of merrymaking. All these social occasions carry a moral message-that of love, unity, brotherhood and peace-for the successful survival of humankind.

Onam

Pookkalam	Onam Sadhya	Vallamkali