Onam pookkalam makes the life ahead colorful

Athapookalam Onam Pookalam Competition Design

One of the major attractions that make Onam unique is the flower carpet (Pookkalam) laid before the front courtyards of Malayalee houses. These are intricate designs which make every house vibrant and colourful. Various flowers are used each day as specific flowers are dedicated to each day of Onam. Among these ‘Thumba Poo’ gains its […]

Onam Pookalam is a floral carpet to welcome Mahabali

Making Pookkalam is a tradition followed by people of Kerala, during the ten days of the festival. This is done to welcome their benevolent legendary king – Mahabali, as he visits Kerala every year on Onam, to enquire about their wellbeing. Read on to know more about Onam Pookkalam. What Is Pookkalam? In Malayalam, the […]

When King Mahabali Left Earth?

vamana

When King Mahabali Left Earth? What is the story of Mahabali leaving the Earth? By practicing atmanivedanam, mahabali Bali obtained Moksha, as illustrated by old Indian scripts and scriptures. By reading Sri Rūpa Gosvāmīs Bhakti-rasāmrta-sindhu, we get acquaintance that Sri Krishna stated that Mahabali approached Him. From Adhatya Ramayana, we acquire the further information that […]

Nature’s bounty comes alive with Onam

Onam is one of the important festivals of Kerala. The ten-day festival that begins with Atham culminates with Thiru Onam. Pookalams, the flower carpets and Onam Sadya, the lavish spread are synonymous with the festival. It’s a festival of opulence. The receding monsoon provides a perfect ambience for celebration. The nature looks bountiful with greenery […]

Onathallu (Avittathallu): display of combat war by Nair communities

The Nair community of Pallassana Desham in the Chittur Thaluk in Palakkad district, Kerala celebrates Onathallu or Avittathallu as part and parcel of Onam festival. It is to be noted that Onathallu or Avittathallu is also celebrated in the rest of the Kerala region. According to the Hindu religious scholars and historians, the Nair communities […]

Major games played during Onam

Here is the list of games played during Onam festival in Kerala.. The following performances are amongst the various rituals, performed on the festive season of Onam by Malayalees every year. Pulikali/Kaduvakali Performance Pulikali is the most fascinating custom of Onam tradition. Onam performers paint themselves yellow with black and red strips on them just […]

How Onam festival is celebrated

Onam is one of the most important festivals for the Keralites across the globe. Traditionally, the day begins at 4 am with family members cleaning the front-yard. In olden days, the cleaning is usually done with cow dung as the houses weren’t cemented then. This custom is followed strictly even today in several families. With […]

Thriketa, Sixth day of Onam Festivities, 11 September 2024

The sixth day of Onam is known as Thriketa. It is to be noted that several cultural programs are well organized by the committees in the villages, towns and cities. In 2024, Thriketa Onam date is September 11. Malayali does usually take a lot of keen interest in participating in activities and functions of Onam […]

Anizham, Fifth day of Onam, 10 September 2024

Anizham is the fifth day of grand Onam celebration. The Anizham day falls in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar. In 2024, Anizham Onam date is September 10. This day is one of the important days of Onam festival. On this day, Vallamkali is held in a grand manner. Vallamkali means snake […]

Vamana Avatar: Lord Vishnu’s Fifth incarnation

vamana

Lord Vishnu appeared before generous King Mahabali in the form Vamana, saying that he was a famished Brahmin and desired a piece of land. At this, the king generously obliged Vamana to have as much land as he wanted in his kingdom. Vamana made a witty retort by saying that he wanted land area covered by […]

Why Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana?

Bali vamana story

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana or the ‘midget incarnation’ during the Thretha Yuga (The second leg of Manvantara) and before the occurrence of the great Ramayana. He incarnated during the time of Emperor Mahabali (also known as Maveli or Bali). This is the first incarnation of Lord Vishna in full human form. Present Kerala (a […]

7 September 2014, Onam Festival in Kerala

Pookalam for onam

7 September 2014 is Onam Festival in Kerala. Onam (Thiru Onam) is the biggest festival of Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in the Malayalam Chingam Month (August -September) for 10 days. First Onam – September 6, 2014 (Onnam Onam) Second Onam – September 7, 2014 (Thiruonam) Third Onam – September 8, 2014 (Munnam Onam) Fourth […]

Important features of Onasadya

Coconut is the most common ingredients in all the variety of dishes. It is to be noted that Coconut milk is also used in dishes to give special flavor and taste. Coconut oil is used for frying and deep frying the dishes. On the banana leaf in a specific order, all the dishes are served. […]

Ashtamudi Lake, the center of attraction during Onam

Kollam can be best described as a miniature version of Kerala. It imbibes the best of what Kerala has to offer as a tourist destination. Its beauty is highlighted by the Ashtamudi Lake that has an enchanting green spread around its banks. Kollam is not among the usual Kerala tourist guides, i.e. it is more […]

Maveli: The king of kings of Kerala

Bali was the king of Asuras, who ruled his kingdom with generosity. He was a powerful king and was also known as Mahabali or Māveli. He was born to Virochana and Devamba. However, his childhood flourished under his grandfather’s supervision. His grandfather’s name was Prahlada, who has a great significance in the Indian mythology. He […]

Pookalam (Athapoovu): Decorative Floral designs for Onam Festival

Pookalam for onam

In the state of Kerala, a Hindu festival Onam also called Vamana Jayanthi is celebrated which falls in the months of August-September and lasts for ten days. During this festival, apart from various other arrangements, the courtyards of every household are decorated with Pookalams. Pookalam also known as Athapoovu is a decorative, colorful and complex […]

Onam 2014 at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

For Onam 2014, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will be opened for the Onam festival on Friday afternoon (5 September 2014). The sanctum sanctorum will be opened by Melsanthi Sri. P.N Narayanan Nampoothiri at 5.30 p.m.The melsanthi will be accompaneed to the sreekovil by Chief priest Brahmasree Kandaru Rajeevararu and the Executive Officer, Sabarimala. The temple rituals […]

Mumbai – Kollam, Kochuveli Special Trains for Onam festival

Mumbai – Kollam, Kochuveli Special Trains for Onam festival 2014… Special trains will run along the Konkan Railway route, in coordination with the Central Railway, in order to clear the extra rush of passengers during Onam festival. 01067 Lokmanya Tilak (LTT)-Kochuveli will leave from LTT at 11.20am on September 4 and arrive at Kochuveli at […]

Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram Special Trains for Onam 2014

Here is the list of Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram Special Trains for Onam 2014.. Following special trains which will be run by the Southern Railways to clear the extra rush of passengers during Onam Festival season. A Railway press said Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram superfast special train (No.06007) will leave Chennai Central at 6.15 pm on August 28(Thursday) […]

How is Pookalam Made (Floral Carpet)?

Pookalam for onam

How is Pookalam Made (Floral Carpet)? How to make Pookalam for Onam festival? Making of Pookalam is a tradition followed by the people of Kerala, during the ten days of the festival. This is done to welcome their benevolent legendary king – Mahabali, as he visits Kerala every year on Onam. Pookalam could be simple […]