Of all the festivals that
are celebrated in the state of Kerala, it is Onam
which is marked by the greatest of ostentation
and ceremony. The ambience is colored with the
same cheer that fills the people's hearts.
Onam is the main festival of Kerala. It is celebrated
in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August
and beginning of September). Celebrations are
on for ten days, beginning with the atham day.
The colourful Onam signifies the end of the South-West
Monsoon. It is celebrated against a setting of
lush green vegetation. Over time, the Gods became
worried about his ways, thinking that he might
become too powerful. So, they sought the help
of Vishnu to curb his power. Vishnu, in the form
of a dwarf (Vamana), approached him and asked
for three paces of land. As soon as he had done
so, the dwarf began to grow, and grow, and grow.
The main attraction is the traditional dresses
and the dances with the beautiful decoration of
flowers and the racing of the unique snake boats.
The complete vegetarian fare is also not to be
missed.
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