Onam

Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the Malayalees in India and abroad. It is a Hindu Malayalam festival that marks the rice harvesting season and is also the New Year for Malayali Hindus. Onam usually occurs in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which according to the Gregorian Calendar falls between August and September each year. Thiruvinam is the most important day of the festival. Onam 2017 will begin on Friday, 25 August, and end on Wednesday, 6 September. Onam is the official festival of the Indian state of Kerala and pays tribute to the Hindu mythological characters of Mahabali, Vishnu, Kashyapa and Parashurama. Onam is an occasion for huge celebrations, including Onam Vallam Kali (snake boat races), Pulikali (tiger dance), Pookkalam (flower arrangement), Onathappan (worship), 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), serving of delicious food, and so on. Onam is a public holiday in parts of India for one day, while Kerala gets four days of public holidays on Onam, beginning from Onam Eve also known as Uthradom. ALSO READ: Happy Onam Wishes in Malayalam: Onam 2017 WhatsApp & Facebook Messages, Status, Wishes, Greetings, Quotes & SMS to share!