Onam: A Celebration of Culture, Unity, and Tradition

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• September 21, 2024
• Celebration, Festivities, Holiday, Onam, Sadhya

Onam is a truly special and vibrant cultural festival celebrated in the beautiful state of Kerala, India. This enchanting festival is steeped in the captivating mythology of King Mahabali, making it a truly unique and meaningful celebration.

Lord Vishnu disguised himself and tricked the king, but he granted him permission to visit his country once a year. This day is known as Onam. It takes place in September, a time of great joy and togetherness for Malayalee people worldwide. 

During this festive time, intricate and stunning pookalam designs are created using fresh floral petals, symbolizing joy and prosperity. The highlight of Onam is undoubtedly the Sadhya, a delectable vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring a delightful array of side dishes and the sweet and satisfying paysam for dessert. 

Adding to the festive spirit are traditional games such as the exhilarating vallamkali, a competitive boat race, and the graceful thiruvathira, a traditional dance performed by women around a lamp in traditional clothing.

Additionally, Onam allows everyone to showcase their style with new clothes, known as onakodi. Women adorn themselves in the elegant kasavu sari, a white or cream sari with gold borders, while men typically wear the munde, a long white material worn around the waist with a kurta or shirt. It’s truly a time of celebration, togetherness, and the celebration of cherished traditions.

A memorable celebration at Oromah 

A few days ago, we came together as a team to celebrate the vibrant festival of Onam with tradition, fun, and a great feast at our special event, “Thakarthonam“. The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement as the staff participated in different activities that brought the festival to life.

The day was nothing short of spectacular, with the entire team immersed in the festive spirit. “Thakarthonam” truly captured the essence of Onam, and the highlight of the celebration was the grand feast, which everyone enjoyed together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The day kicked off with some lighthearted competition, as everyone eagerly took part in the traditional Lemon Spoon Racing. With spoons held steady and lemons as colleagues raced against one another, showing off both balance and speed. Teams then took on the challenge of Blindfolded Pottu Koothal, where participants, blindfolded and guided by their teammates, attempted to place a bindi on a face.

In a special moment of cultural fulfillment, the women of the company came together to perform the graceful and elegant Thiruvathira, a traditional dance that symbolizes unity and joy. Dressed in beautiful, festive attire, the dancers circled the oil lamp with synchronized movements with their rhythm and elegance.

As the festivities went on, there was Onam Sadhya, where everyone gathered together to enjoy the traditional vegetarian feast. Served on banana leaves, the meal featured a combination of Kerala’s finest dishes from spicy curries and crispy banana chips to the sweet payasam. It was a shared experience that brought everyone together, with joyful conversations and smiles all around.