ONAM Wishes To All

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Onam History

 

 

 

 

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. Celebrated in the first month ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee Calender, it is also the annual harvest festival of the state. The festival falls in the month of August to September according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of Onam go ten days long up to Tiruvonam and in some cases to twelve days long until chatayam (twelfth day). The celebrations of Onam include elaborate rituals, music, dances, sports, boat races and of course scrumptious foods. There are several legends and stories attached with the festival. Read on to explore more about the festival of Onam i.e. its history, its origin and its significance.Onam has been a part of Malayalee culture for centuries. The earliest record of the festival that has been found belongs to the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around i.e. around 800 AD. However, there are great possibilities that the festival was celebrated before this

period also. Any ways, due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere around 800 A.D. as the harvest festival of the state. However, there are so many legends and stories attached with the day that it seems that the festival has been a part of the region ever since its origin.Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the demon king, Mahabali. It is said that Mahabali was a generous and kind hearted king of Kerala. He was powered by a boon granted to him by Lord Brahma, he was invincible and thus gradually won over the entire earth. Soon after he won the earth, he also won the territory of heaven and became its king. He gradually rose up to become the undisputed ruler of all the three worlds. It was the time he inflicted violence upon the gods. Lord Vishnu then decided to overthrow Bali from his powers. He went to Bali in the form of a Brahman as he knew that the king rejoiced in doing good deeds and giving alms to the poor. He asked for three feet of land from the Demon king to which the king readily agreed. Gradually, he Brahaman increased in size. In one step, he measured the entire earth and in the other he covered the entire heaven, he then asked Bali that where

should he put the third step. Bali, a man of his words, then laid down his head and asked Brahman to step his foot on his head. Vishnu disguised in the form of Brahman, thus appeared in front of Bali and offered him the Kingdom of the nether world. However as Bali was very much in love with the people of his kingdom at earth, he asked Vishnu to give him a boon so that he can visit the earth once a year to which Vishu readily agreed. Bali, since then is believed to come to earth in the month of ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee calendar and the entire festival is celebrated to welcome their dear king Mahabali to earth.

 

 

Onam Recipes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zest by the Malayalees all over the world. While Thiruvonam (the tenth day) is the most important day of the festival, the celebrations at some places continue until chatayam (twelfth day). The festival is marked by elaborate rituals, feast, socializing, games and fairs. Umpteen varieties of dishes are prepared throughout the festival in every Malayalee home. 'Onasadya' or the traditional feast of Onam is an unavoidable part of the festival. It is organized by people irrespective of caste, creed and community barriers.The grand feast of Onam is held in a methodical manner. The impressive spread of delicacies are served in banana leafs. The leaf has to be placed in a particular way and the dishes are also to be served in a defined pattern. The serving on the leaf begins from the left with 'Upperies' (deep-fried dishes). Umpteen numbers of scrumptious

dishes are served on this occasion. Different kinds of rice with a number of side dishes and other delicacies such as curries, 'pappadams' (round crisp flour cakes), 'achaars' (pickles) and 'payasams' or 'pradhamans' as desserts are served. Plantain fruits are also served as a part of the meal. AvialAvial is a scrumptious dish of Kerala. It is a kind of mix vegetable recipe. Easy to make and delicious to taste, this dish is also very nutritious and fulfilling. It is basically a side dish served hot along with varieties of rice.Banana HalwaKerala recipes are extremely luscious. Apart from the variety of coconut dishes, the most relishing Kerala recipes are sweet to taste. Payasams, Uniyappam, Elayada,

Achappam, Banana Halwa (Nenthra Pazham Haluva) are the most popular sweet dishes of the state.Coconut ChutneyCoconut is a vital ingredient of almost all the Kerala dishes. Right from vegetables to the desserts, coconut is used in almost all the dishes. However, one of the most regularly made and popularly made coconut dish of Kerala is the coconut sauce or ‘thenga chutney’.IdliIdli is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the country. Extremely scrumptious, light and nutritious, Idli is an ideal breakfast item. Made of rice and Urad Daal, making Idli is not difficult at all, however its preparation takes a little time as the batter for Idli requires fermentation. Dry Fruit KesariSweet dishes of Kerala are extremely famous for their wonderful taste. One of them is the Dry Fruit Kesari, a popular sweet dish of Kerala. Made of Rava and dry fruits as the primary items, Kesari is extremely scrumptious to taste. It is prepared in a very manner very similar to north Indian ‘Rava Halwa’, except for the fact that the Halwa is not cut into diamond shape later on.Masala DosaMasala Dosa is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the world. Made up of the fermented batter of Rice and Urad Daal along with the stuffing of mashed potatoes, it is an extremely scrumptious and fulfilling dish. Though the preparation of Dosa requires a lot of time and efforts, the taste is worth it. Mor KuzhambuMor Kuzhambu is a popular south Indian dish. It is actually buttermilk curry seasoned with cumin seeds, coriander seeds, turmeric powder and mustard seeds. It is very easy to make and hardly takes 15-20 minutes for preparation. It is extremely luscious and is relishing when served along with plain hot rice. If you are a curry lover, you will simply love this recipe.Moru CurryKerala is famous for its umpteen varieties of curry. One of them is the delicious Moru Curry. It is basically a yoghurt curry popular in Kerala. It is served along with varieties of rice. Preparation of Moru Curry is a very easy task and hardly requires 20 minutes. KozhukattaiKozhukattai, also known as ‘Modak’, is one of the most popular

recipes of Kerala. It is generally prepared on ‘Ganesh-chaturdashi’ as it is considered to be the favorite dish of Lord Ganesha. Sweet and scrumptious to taste, this dish takes a little time to be prepared, yet the taste is worth the wait.Palada PradhamanOnam, the harvest festival of Malayalees, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Right from Attam (the first day of the festival), the air is filled with festivity. A number of interesting games are played. While the rituals performed on Onam may differ from region to region, one tradition that remains the same is feasting. PesarattuA number of varieties of dosa (Indian pancakes made of flour) are made in the southern parts of India. Out of them, Pesarattu stands out. Prepared by using

moong dal, Pesarattu makes a very healthy and easy-to-make snack item, which can be served with coconut chutney.Rice PuttuThe festival of Onam is observed with much fanfare all over Kerala. The festival of harvest includes a number of interesting activities, one of them being feasting. All through the festival, delicious recipes are prepared by Malayalee household. When it comes to breakfast, they would ensure that something healthy as well as delicious is made, to kick-start the day.SambharOn the glorious festival of Onam, lip-smacking Onasadya (Onam feast) is prepared by every Malayalee household, as it is the state festival of Kerala. It is said that people should eat the Onam feast during the festival even they have to sell their possessions.

Talking about the dishes, the recipes prepared for the grand feast may vary from region to region.TheeyalThe harvest festival of Onam is celebrated with fun and fervor. Feasting and playing games form the important traditions of the festival, which falls on the Malayalam month - Chingam (Aug-Sep). Celebrated across the length and breadth of Kerala, Onam finds a special place in the Hindu festivals of India.Tomato RasamOnasadya (traditional Onam feast) is prominent in the celebrations of Onam, the harvest and state festival of Kerala. It is famous world-wide, because a number of items (preferably vegetarian) are served in the delicious feast. While Sambhar makes a prominent side dish, served with rice, Rasam is another item that is inevitable from

the menu.VadaOnam is very special for Malayalees all over the world, as it is the state festival for their homeland - Kerala. Celebrated with great fanfare, Onam is the wonderful opportunity for people to reconnect with their family and friends back home. Feasting is a prominent part of the merrymaking.

 

Onam Wishes

 

 

 

 

The state festival of Kerala, Onam, is celebrated with zeal. All through the ten days of the festival, the air is filled with excitement, while people are busy in welcoming their King Mahabali. Feasting, laying Pookkalam (floral carpet) on floor, singing songs and shopping are the highlights of the festival. Malayalees from the nook and corner of the country as well as abroad make it a point to visit their loved ones back home in Kerala, during the festive season. Wishes are exchanged at the time, when people exchange gifts and present Onakkodi (new clothes especially purchased to wear on Thiruvonam) to their near and dear.

 

If you want to wish your beloved a very 'Happy Onam', then go through the following lines and get some warm Onam wishes.Wishes For Onam Festival

 

Aishwaryathintheyum, samridhiyudaeyum Thiruvonam aashamsikkunnu. Ellavarkkum ente hridayam nirannja Onashamsagal! (Malayalam Language) Hope this Onam brings in good fortune & abounding happiness to you! Wish you and your family a frivolous Onam!

May this Onam be the forerunner of good luck and joyfulness and may it bring you joy, that lasts all year!

 

Nilavilakinte Parishudhiyum, Tumbapoovinte Nairmalyavumai, Varunna Ponnin Chinga Masathile Ponnonatte Varavelkan Niranja Snehathode Ende ONAM Ashamsagal. (Malatalam Language) May the spirit of Onam remains everywhere - in whatever you do, whatever you think and whatever you hope in your life. Wish you a Happy Onam.

May the color and lights of Onam fill your home with happiness and joy. My heartful wishes to you, on Onam.

 

As the festive occasion of Onam is round the corner, and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, here's hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead. Best wishes on Onam.

Fortunate is the one who has learned to admire, but not to envy. Good Wishes for a joyous Onam.

Pookkalavum,Pooviliyum,Onakkodiyum. Onasadhyayumayi oru onam koodi. Ponnonashamsagal!

Onam is the time for pookkalam on floor; children on swings; tiger clad men with hunters behind them; people enjoying sadyas with family. Let this Onam bring Joy and Prosperity to all. Happy Onam!

 

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