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Onam[/h]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Onam is an annual
Hindu festival with origins in the state of
Kerala in
India. It falls in the
Malayalam calendar month of
Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.[SUP]
[7][/SUP] The festival commemorates the
Mahabali,
Vamana(
Vishnu avatar),
Kashyapa and
Parashurama-related mythologies of
Hinduism.
Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. It marks the summer harvest and is celebrated with numerous festivities. It includes
Vallam Kali (boat races),
Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower arrangement), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women's dance), Kummati kali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts),
Onavillu(music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations. It is the New Year day for Malayali Hindus.
Onam is the official state festival of Kerala with public holidays that start four days from Onam Eve (Uthradom). It is celebrated by Malayali diaspora around the world. Though a Hindu festival, non-Hindu communities of Kerala participate in Onam celebrations considering it as a cultural festival. However, some non-Hindus in Kerala denounce its celebration as a cultural event because they consider it as a religious festival.
Read more at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onam
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Source: Google images.