This vibrant festival showcases the rich musical heritage of the state. Thrissur Pooram has been celebrated for over 200 years in honor of Shiva. It is held at Vadakkunathan temple located in Thrissur in the Malayalam month of Medam. And Thrissur Pooram is the mother of all poorams of Kerala. Pooram means annual festival celebrated on the day when the moon is seen with a star called Pooram. Thrissur Pooram is one of the biggest temple festivals in Kerala. Many hotels in Kerala and outside the state host Onam feast. Attending Onam Sadya is a great way to experience the culture of the state through its food. Around 26 dishes are prepared and served on a plantain leaf. The most important part of the celebration is the Sadya, the lunch on Thiru Onam. The ten days of celebration includes cultural activities like Atthachamayam, Pulikali, boat race, Kummati kali and tug of war. People buy new clothes, exchange gifts and visit temples. Houses, offices and shops are decorated with intricate flower arrangement called Pookalam. However, the celebration starts ten days prior to Thiru Onam and each day has its own significance. Onam is celebrated on the day Mahabali returns to earth to meet his subject.įestival: There are four main days of Onam and the most important is Thiru Onam. With the final step, Vamana sent the Mahabali to netherworld but he granted Mahabli’s one wish to visit the earth and meet his people once a year. As one more step was remaining, Mahabali asked him to place the third step on him head. With the first step he covered the sky and with the second step, he covered the earth. As soon as Mahabali agreed to give him the land, Vamana grew in stature. Hence, the dwarf Brahmin asked Mahabali to give him land equivalent to his three paces. Mahabali had declared that if anyone sought anything from him during the yagna, he would grant their wish. Vishnu, disguised as a dwarf Brahmin,Vamana, went to meet Mahabali, who was in the middle of a yagna (fire sacrifice). To seek help, the gods went to Vishnu, who agreed to help them. They were threatened by the growing power of Mahabali. He conquered the earth and the netherworld, which made the gods in heaven restless. He was a noble and just king and he was expanding his kingdom. According to legends, the asura king, Mahabali, who ruled Kerala, became very powerful. Legend: The story behind Onam festival is interesting. It is also the festival that marks the return of King Mahabali, who sacrificed his life for his people. Onam is celebrated by everybody in the state irrespective of their community, caste, creed and class. In Kerala, Onam is way bigger than Diwali, which is the most important festival celebrated across India. Onam is also called Thiruonam and it is celebrated at the beginning of the month Chingam of Malayalam calendar. Celebrated with much pomp and fervor, Onam is a harvest festival. Onam is the most important and popular festival in Kerala.

Major caste in kerala