onam 2012 festival - kerala

In 2012, Thiru Onam is on Wednesday, August 29

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham).

There are actually four days of Onam. The most important day of Onam (known as Thiru Onam) is the second day.

Festivities actually commence 10 days before this day (on Atham), with the preparation of floral arrangements (pookalam) on the ground in front of homes.

Onam is celebrated in the state of Kerala, in southern India.

It's the biggest festival of the year there. The most spectacular celebrations take place in Kochin, Trivandrum, Thrissur, and Kottayam.

The state government celebrates Tourism Week in Kerala during Onam. Much of Kerala's culture is showcased during the festivities.

People strikingly decorate the ground in front of their houses with flowers arranged in beautiful patterns (pookalam) to welcome the King.

The festival is also celebrated with new clothes, feasts served on banana leaves, dancing, sports, games, and snake boat races.

On Atham (10 days before Onam), people start the day with an early bath, perform prayers, and start creating their floral decorations on the ground in front of their houses.  The floral decorations (pookalams) continue during the 10 day lead up to Onam, and pookalam competitions are organized by various organizations.A lot of cooking takes place during Onam, with the highlight being a grand feast called Ona Sadya
It's served on the main Onam day.

The cuisine is elaborate and varied. Try it for yourself at one of the quality hotels in Trivandrum, which have specials for the occasion.