Essay on Onam Festival

Kerala is a famous state situated in the southern part of India. It captivates hearts with its breath taking beauty, making it a paradise for tourists. The beautiful state has many things that attract people towards it. However, the beauty of Kerala can truly be experienced during the world-renowned Onam festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. Onam is a vibrant celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing the colorful traditions, art forms, and culinary delights of the state. To know more about this famous festival, let us discuss Onam festival in detail.

Onam Festival Essay in English

Here, we are presenting long and short essays on Onam in English for students underword limits of 100 – 150 Words, 200 – 250 words, and 500 – 600 words. This topic is useful forstudents of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in English. These provided essays will also be helpful for students to write essay, speech, or paragraphs on this topic.

10 Lines Essay on Onam Festival (100-120 Words)

1) Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, India.

2) It is considered the most important festival for Malayalis, the native people of Kerala.

3) Onam falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam, usually in August or September.

4) The festival lasts for ten days and is marked by various festivities and activities.

5) The highlight of Onam is the elaborate feast known as the Onam Sadhya.

6) People decorate their homes by arranging colorful flower petals in beautiful patterns.

7) Onam is a festival that honours Mahabali’s return to his homeland.

8) Various games and sports competitions are organized during Onam.

9) Traditional songs and dances are performed during the celebrations.

10) Onam is a time when families come together and celebrate the cultural events.

Essay on Onam (250-300 Words)

Introduction

Onam is one of the most vibrant and colorful festivals celebrated in the South Indian state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival that falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and is celebrated with great zest and fervor by the people of Kerala.

Onam Celebration

The ten-day long celebration of Onam is marked by various cultural events and traditional activities. The most prominent feature of the festival is the grand floral carpet called Pookkalam, which is created using a variety of flowers. People also indulge in traditional dance forms likeThiruvathira Kali and Pulikali.The festival also includes boat races known as Vallamkali, where beautifully decorated boats compete against each other in various categories. Another important aspect of Onam is the elaborate feast known as Onam sadhya. This feast consists of a variety of vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf.

Significance of Onam

Onam holds great cultural and historical significance for the people of Kerala. It is celebrated to honor the mythical King Mahabali, who was believed to be a generous ruler. Onam is also a time for families to come together and celebrate. It is a time of reunion and bonding with loved ones. Onam is also a time for forgiveness and letting go of past grievances. It is a festival that promotes love, harmony, and unity among the people of Kerala.

Conclusion
Onam is a joyous festival that brings together people from various communities and backgrounds. The festival teaches us the values of love, generosity, and unity, which are essential for a harmonious society. Onam truly embodies the spirit of Kerala and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal.

Long Essay on Onam Festival (500 Words)

Introduction

Every month in India is marked by a different festival. Festivals are an important part of India’s rich cultural history, and Onam is one of them. Onam is a festival in Kerala that gets people from all over the state together. Kerala has a very rich culture and past, and the celebrations show that. Onam is a time when people indulge in festivities, feasts, and cultural activities.

Onam: The festival of Joy

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by the people of Kerala.It is a ten-day festival that usually falls in the month of August or September. The festival marks the return of King Mahabali, a mythical king who is believed to have ruled Kerala in ancient times.Atham, Chithira, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and Thiruvonam are the names given to each of the 10 days that make up the festival.

Onam Celebration and Festivities

Onam is celebrated for ten day and festival begins with the installation of a floral decoration called ‘Athapookalam’ in the entrance of homes. Another highlight of Onam is the snake boat race called ‘Vallamkali.’ Thousands of spectators gather along the banks of the river to witness this thrilling race.The traditional feast called ‘Onam sadhya’ is prepared, which consists of a wide variety of vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf.People in Kerala assume that their Mahabali king would come to this event and make everyone happy and joyful. On this day, people in Kerala forget their caste, religion, and come together to enjoy this festival.

History behind Onam Festival

Onam is believed to be celebrated in honor of King Mahabali, who was known for his generosity. The king was a legendary ruler of Kerala, and his people were happy with his rule. But his success made the gods angry, so they sent Lord Vishnu to Earth to take care of the problem.Lord Vishnu went to Mahabali in the form of a brahmin man and asked for three feet of land. Mahabali, being the kind master that he is, let him have what he wanted. Lord Vishnu then made himself so big that he covered the whole world with one foot, and he put the other foot in the sky.Then he asked Mahabali where his third step should go, and Mahabali gave him his head. Then, Lord Vishnu kicked Mahabali into hell. There, Mahabali asked him to let him see his people once a year. This annual visit is celebrated as Onam, where people decorate their homes, prepare elaborate feasts, and perform traditional dances to welcome their beloved king.

Conclusion

Onam is a festival that brings people together and strengthens the sense of community and cultural identity among the people of Kerala. It is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the state and pay homage to their beloved king Mahabali. Even though the Malayalees only celebrate Onam once a year, the joy they feel throughout the holiday always stays with them.

I hope the above provided essay on Onam will be helpful for you to understand the significance and rituals of this important festival.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Onam Festival

Q.1 Which is the national festival of Kerala?

Ans. The national festival of Kerala is Onam. This harvest festival is celebrated with great joy and excitement by the people of Kerala. It is a ten-day festival that commemorates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali.

Q.2 What is Onam Pookalam?

Ans. Onam Pookalam, also known as Athapookalam or floral carpet, is a traditional and significant art form created during the festival of Onam in the Indian state of Kerala. Pookalam is made by arranging colourful flowers and foliage in beautiful and intricate designs on the ground.

Q.3 Which harvest is celebrated during Onam festival?

Ans. During rice harvest, Onam is celebrated in Kerala. This festival is celebrated to welcome their demon king Mahabali. It is marked by various cultural events, dance performances, boat races, and feasts.

Q.4 On which river the boat race occurs during onam?

Ans. The famous boat racing during the Onam festival takes place in Aranmula on the banks of the river Pampa. Races employ Palliyodam, which are snake boats, exclusively navigated by male villagers.

Q.5 Is Onam a holiday in India?

Ans.In India, Onam is listed as an optional holiday. Although some individuals may decide to take the day off, the majority of offices and businesses operate as usual. However, in Kerala, Onam is a holiday for few days.