Wearing traditional costumes, cooking delicious food and decorating the courtyard with bright flowers carpets, people from all over Kerala celebrated Onam with joy in the joy of a new crop in the state on Friday.
At the conclusion of this ten-day festival known as Thiruvonam, there was a crowd from small villages to crowded towns to temples in the morning.
Children and youth decorated the houses with Pukkalam (design made of flower petals). In many villages and residential colonies, high swings were made in the courtyard.
Family members celebrated together and the elders distributed Onkkodi (new clothes given as gifts during Onam). The women prepared a grand Sadya, which is a vegetarian feast served on banana leaves which included pickles, vegetables and dear sweets. People also performed folk dances on this occasion.
According to mythology, Onam originated from the return of King Mahabali, who is remembered for the golden era when people lived in justice and harmony.
According to the legend, the gods were disturbed by Mahabali’s growing popularity and he turned to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu took donations from the king in the form of Vamana and sent him to Hades. But before going to Patal Lok, Mahabali took a promise that he would be allowed to meet his people once a year on the day of Thiruvonam.
On the occasion of Onam, Kerala has the most shopping. Before this festival, the markets were walking till late night as people were busy buying their favorite things for the festival.