Onam 2016: India celebrates Onam with pookalams, sadhya and prayers

Here's how people across the country are celebrating Onam — Malayalis' cultural and harvest festival; even spreading a social message while they're at it.

Updated: September 14, 2016 17:28 IST

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It is not just Kerala, but Malayalis across the country are excited about Onam — the most anticipated festival of Kerala. Communities outside Kerala have got together at their respective places of residence and/or work and are trying in their own way, to celebrate the festival. While legends say the Asura king Lord Mahabali visits his people at this time of the year, Onam is also Kerala's harvest festival. People make beautiful and intricate designs using flowers at the entrance of their houses to welcome Lord Mahabali. Also popularly associated with the festival is Onam sadhya — the traditional nine-course meal eaten at lunch on Onam. The festival is a melange of laughter and happiness and also becomes the occasion of family get-togethers. While many make it to their hometown in Kerala on time for the celebrations, Malayalis away from home celebrate it in their own way. And the celebrations have already started. Click through to see pictures of people ringing in Onam this year. Here, women celebrate the festival of Onam in Coimbatore on Wednesday. (Source: PTI)

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Devotees light up candles on the occasion of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai on Wednesday. (Source: PTI)

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Elephants in a procession in connection with Onam celebrations at Thrikkakkara Temple in Kochi. (Source: PTI)

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Women make a floral rangoli, or pookalam, on the occasion of Onam at a temple in Chennai on Wednesday. (Source: PTI)

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Devotees offer prayers on the occasion of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai. (Source: PTI)

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Girls enjoy on a swing during the celebration of the Onam festival in Thiruvananthapuram. (Source: PTI)

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Women take selfies during the celebration of Onam festival at a temple in Chennai on Wednesday. (Source: PTI)

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Malayalis in Bhopal are spreading the message of 'Save Girl Child' on the occasion. (Source: PTI)

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People make a flower rangoli during Onam celebrations in Indore on Sunday. (Source: PTI)

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In Chennai, college students dressed up in the traditional Kerala kasavu mundu/saree attire and celebrated Onam in their campus. (Source: PTI)

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Students make the pookalam in college campus in Chennai, as part of Onam celebrations. (Source: PTI)

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Artists performed at a cultural programme — Kairali, which is a special Onam programme organised in association with the Kerala government at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. (Source: PTI)

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President Pranab Mukherjee during the cultural programme Kairali with the Governor and Chief Minister of Kerala. (Source: PTI)

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President Pranab Mukherjee honoring an artist during the cultural programme. (Source: PTI)

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Malayalis in Kerala and across the world are gearing up to celebrate the harvest festival of the state — Onam. This year, the 10-day festival falls during August 25 to September 6, and celebrations would include the traditional temple visit, onasadhya (the traditional Onam fare) and pookalams (rangolis made of glowers). The fervour and excitement with which the people celebrate is infectious. From children to adults, all come together to make the beautiful designs — also known as aththa-poo — on the floors, made with beautifully arranged flowers. According to legend, everyone's favourite king Mahabali comes visiting on Onam and, hence, the elaborate and intricate flower designs are made to welcome him. Click through to see some beautiful Onam pookalam designs. (Source: beautytipsmart.com)