The most splendid Kerala festival, Onam is just around the corner and the spirit of this ‘festival of harvest’ is already in the air. Onam is marked by laying a colourful arrangement of flower patches on the ground and preparing an array of mouth-watering delicacies at home. In this article, we’ll discuss 8 fun ideas to celebrate Onam in your apartment community!
Legend has it-
The festival of Onam is celebrated with pomp and gaiety every year to welcome the spirit of king Mahabali, who is said to visit Kerala at this time. Feasts, energetic games, folk songs and elegant dances are organized to celebrate the occasion.
8 ideas to celebrate Onam in your apartment complex:
1) Make this Onam a community affair
Organize an event within your apartment complex around Onam (with cultural functions) and send invites to all community members through CommonFloor Groups (using the Events feature).
2) Wear the traditional Kerala attire
Celebrate Onam like a Keralite would, and that will be incomplete without women wearing the Kasavu saree and men wearing the traditional mundu with a shirt.
3) Create a vivid Athapookkalam (flower carpet)
This flower rangoli decoration known as Athapookkalam, a part of the Onam custom in every Malayali house, makes for a bright sight and is an immediate eye-pleaser.
Conducting a pookkalam contest on the last day of Onam, Thiruvonam, might be a fun activity.
4) Organize a feast
A grand feast, also known as the Onasadya, served on a banana leaf along with a few varieties of payasam is just the way to add flavour to the whole celebration.
5) Dedicate an evening to watch Vallamkali (snake boat races) on TV
The Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallam kali or snake boat races happening during this season is one of the most defining aspect of Onam. Watch this on TV with your neighbours and enjoy a complete experience of this traditional festival.
6) Play a Popular Onam Game
Some well-known Onam games are Talappanthukali, Pulikali, Ambeyyal, Kutukutu, Attakalam and Kayyankali. You can easily get hold of their rules and norms online and start playing.
7) Organize Fun Activities and Contests
Organize and participate in cultural activities such as creating pookkalam and traditional dance performances. Hosting pookkalam or dance contests will surely make the event more exciting.
8) Shower gifts on the loved ones
Nothing better and more delighting than gifts coming from ones that matter! Surprise your loved ones with an ‘Onam special’ gift such as a Kerala attire, Kerala meal voucher or a box of sweets.
What will be the best way to celebrate a Kerala-style Onam party in your residential community? Tell us how you plan to celebrate and experience the spirit of Onam this year!
Source- infosamay, Kochiservnet, yentha.com, painetworks, goibibo.com,
aomsikerala, britishsouthindians.co.uk, migrantmallu.com