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Onam Festival Facts & Worksheets

Onam is the most important festival in Kerala, India. The festival occurs during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and commemorates the return of the mythical King Mahabali.

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Onam is the most important festival in Kerala, India for Hindu people. The festival occurs during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and commemorates the return of the mythical King Mahabali.

See the fact file below for more information on the Onam Festival, or you can download our 25-page Onam Festival worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Onam commemorates King Mahabali’s visit to his subjects. This 10-day celebration is a wonderful occasion for all Malayalees, who celebrate the arrival of their king on this day. 
  • Onam is also referred to as a harvest celebration. Flower arrangements in front of the houses with various colorful flowers (pookalam) generate a sense of abundance and prosperity, which Onam represents.
  • Not to mention women decked out in gold jewelry and fancy outfits. Every aspect of the Onam Festival is a sentimental remembrance of the past’s greatness.
  • Following the scrumptious sadya (a lavish feast), there is kaikottikali (a beautiful dance), Tumbi tullal, and other folk acts such as Kummattikali and Puli Kali.
  • Onam marks the return of the mighty asura King Mahabali from Patala Loka.
  • Prahalada’s grandson, Mahabali, was a strong and knowledgeable king who valued education. When a short, young, dazzling lad approached the yagna shala, Mahabali was doing a yagna. 
  • As was customary, Mahabali greeted this dazzling child and asked him what he wanted. The small boy wanted as much space as could take up three of his steps.
  • Mahabali accepted immediately, to the disappointment of his Guru Shukracharya, who warned him that the guest was none other than Vamana (an avatar of Vishnu).
  • According to tradition, as soon as the three steps were granted, the young Vamana took the giant form known as Trivikrama and covered the entire earth with the first stride of his foot.
  • Then, with his second step, he covered the entire sky.
  • These two steps covered Mahabali’s entire kingdom, the earth, and the heavens. Vamana then inquired of the king where he should place his third step.
  • The grandson of the Lord’s greatest devotee, Prahlada, King Mahabali, happily donated his head for the third step in absolute devotion and surrender.
  • Recognizing his submissive attitude, the Lord blessed him and sent him to Pathala, promising to make him Indra in the next Manvanthara and to guard the gates of Pathala Himself.
  • Vishnu gave Mahabali permission to return to his kingdom from Pathala once a year to be with his people in response to the desire of Mahabali’s people.

RITUALS, PRACTICES, AND CELEBRATIONS

  • Onam occurs in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. The ceremonies mark the Malayalam New Year and last ten days, culminating with Thiruvonam.
  • Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam, and Thiruvonam are the ten days in order.
  • The first and last days are very significant in Kerala and among Malayalee populations overseas. The celebrations on Atham Day begin at the Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple.
  • With the raising of the festival flag, this Vishnu temple is regarded as the focal point of Onam and the residence of Mahabali. Colorful parades depict features of Kerala culture with floats and tableaux.
  • Other days include boat races, cultural programs, sports competitions, dance events, martial arts, floral rangoli (pookkalam), prayers, shopping, donating time or food for charity, and spending time with family over feasts. Both men and women dress traditionally. 
  • On this day, the Kerala sari, also known as the Kasavu sari, is trendy.

Athachamayam

  • The Onam celebrations in Kerala begin with a ceremonial procession called the Atthachamayam at Thripunithura near Kochi, also known as the Thripunithura Athachamayam. 
  • The parade includes adorned elephants walking, drum beats and other music, folk art forms, floats, and people wearing masks.
  • In Kerala’s history, the Kochi ruler would lead a spectacular military procession from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple, greeting and greeting his people.
  • Traditionally, the parade floats depict episodes from epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. 
  • Furthermore, several floats incorporate biblical and contemporary themes, emphasizing unity and harmony.

Pookkalam (Flower Rangoli)

  • Floral rangoli called pookkalam, also known as onapookkalam and athapookkalam, are made from gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of various hues pinched up into small pieces to design and decorate patterns on the floor, particularly at entrances and temple premises, similar to a flower mat.
  • Lamps are placed in the center or along the perimeter. It is a work of religious art created by a group of girls and women with a delicate touch and a personal artistic sense of tone and blending.

Music and dance

  • Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal, Onam Kali, and other traditional dance forms are performed. 
  • Thiruvathira Kali is a circle dance around a lamp done by ladies. Kummattikali is a mask-wearing dance.
  • In Thrissur, there is a procession of caparisoned elephants surrounded by Kummattikali dancers. The masked dancers perform the colorful Kummattikali from house to house. 
  • Onam Kali is a type of dance in which participants create rings around a pole, tree, or lamp and then dance and sing songs from the Ramayana and other epics.
  • Kathakali dance, in which dancers portray characters from numerous Ancient Indian mythology, is also popular around this time.
  • A well-known location for this is Valluvanad, which is related to the development of Kathakali, and Cheruthuruthy, which is home to Kerala Kalamandalam.

Pulikali: tiger dance

  • During the Onam season, Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali, is a regular sight.
  • This dance has performers dressed as tigers in bright yellow, red, and black who dance to the beats of instruments such as Chenda and Thakil.
  • This traditional art is primarily performed in Thrissur’s cultural district, and people flock to the city to participate.
  • During the Onam season, ceremonial worship dances called Theyyam are performed.

Vallamkali: boat race

  • Another celebration associated with Onam is the Vallamkali (the snake boat race). The Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race are two well-known races.
  • A large number of oarsmen row gigantic snake-shaped boats. Men and women go long distances to watch and cheer on the snake boats as they race through the water. 
  • This ceremony is highlighted especially on the Pampa River, which is considered sacred and is the Kerala equivalent of the Ganges River.
  • A similar snake boat race is held yearly during Onam by the Malayali diaspora on the Jurong Lake in Singapore as a tribute to the traditional snake boat race.

Onam Sadya

  • Another essential aspect of Onam is the Onam sadya (feast), which practically every Keralite either prepares or attends. The essence of the season is reflected in the Onasadya, which is usually cooked with seasonal vegetables like yam, cucumber, ash gourd, and so on.
  • The number of curries and dishes available in hotels and temples can reach 30. 
  • The feast’s significance in Kerala’s Onam celebration culture is represented in the popular Malayalam saying “Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam,” which means “One must have the Onam meal even if it means selling one’s property.”

POST ONAM CELEBRATIONS

  • Typically, the majority of Onam celebrations conclude with Thiruvonam. The two days following Thiruvonam, however, are also known as the Third and Fourth Onam. 
  • The third Onam, known as Avvittom, commemorates King Mahabali’s return to the sky. 
  • The main ceremony of the day is to immerse the Onathappan statue, which has been put in the center of each pookkalam for the preceding 10 days, in adjacent rivers or seas. Following this process, the pookkalam will be washed and removed.

Onam Festival Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Onam Festival across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Onam Festival, the most important festival in Kerala, India. The festival occurs during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and commemorates the return of the mythical King Mahabali.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Onam Festival Facts
  2. What Am I?
  3. Let’s Celebrate Onam
  4. Pookalam
  5. The Onam Story
  6. Local Festival
  7. A Thousand Words
  8. As a Tourist
  9. Pick a Celebration
  10. One-on-One with Mahabali
  11. Love from Onam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Onam Festival?

Onam is an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated primarily in the state of Kerala, India. It is a harvest festival that marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, and is celebrated with a variety of cultural and religious activities, including music, dance, boat races, and traditional feasts.

When is Onam Festival celebrated?

Onam Festival is celebrated annually in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which typically falls in August or September. The exact date of the festival is determined by the Malayalam calendar and is based on the lunar calendar.

How is Onam Festival celebrated?

Onam Festival is celebrated with a variety of activities and traditions. Some popular traditions include:

  • Pookalam, a flower arrangement made on the ground
  • Onathappan, an idol of King Mahabali
  • Onam Sadya, a traditional feast
  • Vallam Kali, a traditional boat race
  • Onam songs and dances like Thiruvathira and Pulikali

What is the significance of Onam Festival?

Onam Festival is an important cultural and religious event that celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali, who is believed to have been a just and benevolent ruler. It is also a harvest festival that marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.

How is Onam Festival celebrated outside of Kerala?

Onam Festival is celebrated by the Malayali diaspora around the world, and events and activities are organized by Malayali community groups in different countries. These celebrations often include traditional music and dance performances, Onam Sadya, and Pookalam competitions.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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