Thursday 8 September 2011

Celebrating Onam Pookalam 2011 | Onam 2011

Tags: Celebrating Onam in the city,Onam 2011 Photos,onam pookalam 2011,harvest festival Onam 2011,Kerala state Festival 2011,


Onam is a harvest festival which falls during the Malayali month of ‘Chingam’, between August and September. It is celebrated over a period of ten days, which culminates with a grand celebration on the last day, which this year falls on Friday.
The first day of Onam is known as Atham. Making of Onam Pookalam, the exquisite floral rangoli starts on this day and everyday a new design is added to the existing motif till Thiruvonam, the 10th and last day of the festival when the Aththa Poo (floral rangoli) reaches an overwhelming size and most elegant design unfolds. Exotic Pookalams adorn the courtyards of many Malayalee houses in the city.

The festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival.