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Onam Celebrates Kerala’s Culture With Feasts, Rituals and Recipes
Onam is a big festival celebrated in Kerala.
It lasts for 10 days and takes place during Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
People celebrate the return of the legendary King Mahabali to his people.
The festival represents fairness, honesty, prosperity, dignity and peace.
Families make colorful flower designs called Pookalams.
There are also boat races, traditional dances and a large vegetarian feast.
The feast is called Onasadya and is served on a banana leaf.
The recipes in the article include a sweet coconut payasam and a green mung bean thoran.
Onam is Kerala’s 10-day harvest festival, celebrated during Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
The festival honors the legendary King Mahabali and values associated with his reign, including equality, honesty, prosperity, dignity and peace.
Onam was declared Kerala’s state festival in 1961, with celebrations beginning with the Athachamayam cultural procession.
Festivities include Pookalams, snake boat races, Kaikottikali performances and the Thiruvonam culmination.
The article features recipes for Coconut Payasam and Green Mung Bean Thoran, alongside details of the 23–26-dish vegetarian Onasadya feast.
- Who
- People in Kerala and Malayalis celebrate Onam, honoring the legendary King Mahabali.
- What
- Onam is Kerala’s 10-day harvest festival and state festival, featuring cultural events, traditional foods and the Onasadya feast.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- When
- It is celebrated during Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, and culminates on Thiruvonam.
- Why
- The festival celebrates the return of King Mahabali and symbolizes equality, honesty, prosperity, dignity and peace.
Key facts
- Festival duration
- 10 days
- State recognition
- Declared Kerala’s state festival in 1961
- Opening event
- Athachamayam, a cultural procession
- Culminating day
- Thiruvonam
- Main feast
- Onasadya, comprising 23–26 vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf
- Featured dessert
- Coconut Payasam, also called Arisi Thengai Payasam
- Featured savory dish
- Green Mung Bean Thoran
Sources
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