Shina Utavani

The festival of Onam is celebrated each year in the month of August-September. Onam- the word is originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Shravanam’. It refers to one of the 27 Nakshatras. The festival is celebrated to worship King Mahabali. He was an Asur (one with more negative thoughts in mind) by birth and Sur (one with more positive thoughts in his mind) by virtue. He was the best king Kerala ever had. He was very kind and generous. Not a single needy person went empty-handed from his door.&nbsp;It is said that King Mahabali sacrificed everything he had and even himself to serve others.&nbsp;The festival also marks the harvest season of Kerala. The festival is also called Thiru-Onam or Thiruvonam. The festival brings along with it, history, culture, and beliefs of Kerala. Special dishes and food items are made at this festival. People serve meals on Banana leaves. The special dessert called ‘Payasam’ is made during this festival. Every day of the festival has its own religious and cultural importance. Different activities and rituals are performed on different days. The festival has cultural and regional importance in Kerala. The celebrations of the festival begin with a grand procession referred as Thripunithura Athachanayam. The parade includes elephants marching, drum beats and other music, folk art forms and people dressed in colourful masks. The parade also features scenes from epic tales such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. Traditional dance forms like Thiruvathira, Pulikali, Kummattikali, Onam Kali are performed. Kummattikali is colourful mask dance. During onnam festival, Pulikali, known as tiger dance is performed where dancers paint themselves like a tiger. This folk art is mai'nly performed in the cultural district of Thrissur.&nbsp; Vallamkali is another event that is associated with Onam. It is basically a boat race. Races include the AranmulaUthrattadhi Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.&nbsp; Another important part of the festival includes Onam sadya (feast). It is a traditional food item mainly made with seasonal vegetables such as cucumber, ash gourd and yam. The feast is served on plantain leaves and consists of nine dishes.

Onam

ganesh chaturthi

durga pooja

bhai dooj

diwali

dhanteras

Kali Chaudas

pongal

shivratri

eid ul fitr

republic day

gandhi jayanti

guru purnima

uttrayan

christmas

ambedkar jayanti

good friday

janamashtmi

easter

muharram

independence day

rathyatra

chetichand

Ram Navmi

rakshabandhan

Navratri

bakra eid

Lohri

Bihu

holi

dhuleti

dussehra

onam

onam stories

Stories help in improving a child's imagination. Here are a few interesting ones for you to narrate to your child.

Onam

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