Onam celebration and fun games for apartment community
India with its varied culture and heritage is a land with many festivities that in some part or the other, there are celebrations going on always. For the Indian state of Kerala, Onam is the biggest festival of the year. Onam is a harvest festival of the state of Kerala and it is believed that the spirit of Kind Mahabali visits the state of Kerala on Onam. Hence, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the honor of their beloved king. The Onam carnival lasts for four to ten days. Onam is celebrated in a big way and promoted internationally by the government of India and ‘Tourist Week’ is celebrated during the Onam celebrations. Tourists throng the state from all parts of the world to witness the grandeur of this festival.
Onam 2014 date
The festival marks the home coming of the legendary king Mahabali and will be celebrated on September 7th this year across south and various other parts of India. The people of Kerala start celebration of Onam from Malayalam Month Chingam Atham day and the tenth day is celebrated as Onam also know as Thiru-Onam or Second Onam. This year Thiru-Onam falls on September 07, 2014 (Sunday).
The cultural heritage of Kerala is at its best during Onam festival. Whether it is the grand feast of the nine course meal or Onasadya; or the traditional games such as Vallamkali, the snake boat race, held in the holy river of Pampa; it’s a treat to watch the celebrations of this colorful festival. Various intricately designed and flower mats are created by women can be seen in front of the courtyards of almost all the households, as a traditional welcome to their King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are some of the most famous traditional dances performed by Kerala women on the occasion of Onam.
Onam celebration in your Apartment Community
Onam Pookkalam: Pookkalam or flower rangoli are one of the major attractions of this festival. Roads, house entrance ways etc. are decorated heavily with both simple and complex designs using a variety of flowers such as marigold, roses, lilies, jasmine etc. You can either organize competition for Pookkalam among the residents of the apartment community or all the residents of the apartment community can come together and make a big onam pookalam at the apartment premises.
Onam Games: The games constitute to be an integral part of Onam celebrations. Outdoor team games such as Onathallu or also know as Kayyankali’ a martial exercise using hands, Tug of war, Onavillu or Archery, Kabaddi, pulikali a folk art of kerala where artists paint themselves as tiger and entertain the people etc are played with great zeal and enthusiasm. Some of the women-centric Onam Outdoor games and dances are unjal or swing, thumbi thullal, Kaikottikalli, kannu pothi kalli or blindfold games etc.
Onasadya: Kerala is not only known for it cultural arts and festivals, but also known for the kerala food, especially the Onam lunch served on a plantain leaf. Onam lunch also know as Onasadya is a vegetarian banquet. You can organize Onasadya for residents of the apartment community. Nowadays, Onasadya is available as ready to eat lunch and there are even expert catering services to provide them at your doorstep.
