Top Places to Celebrate Onam for the Best of Festivities

Onam is one of the significant festivals celebrated majorly in Kerala and this festival is basically an annual harvest festival which is celebrated with much pomp and fervor in South India. This festival is also called as Thiruvonam and it marks the beginning of the calendar year in Indian state of Kerala. However, this festival comes with different festivities including Onathappan (worship), Vallam Kali (the boat races), Thumbi Thullal (women dance), Pulikali (Tiger Dances), Pookkalam (flower arrangement), Onathallu (martial arts), Kummattikali (mask dance) and many other celebrations. It is one of the festivals which fills the heart of locals and tourists with lots of love and also brings them together. Moreover, Onam is celebrated for around 10 days in the Malayam month of Chingam. This festival is celebrated all over India with its origin in Kerala and hence there are some places where one can witness the best of Onam celebration. Below is the list of places one must visit during Onam festival.   

Trivandrum

Trivandrum is one of the cities which one should definitely visit during Onam. Here at this city one can easily witness the festivities of Onam as the buildings are decorated with lights and special delicacies are made. Apart from all this, several religious and cultural festivals are hosted during Onam and the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Palakkad

It is another city which makes its entry in the list of places one must visit during Onam festival. During the celebration of Onam a special kind of event is organized which is called as Onathallu. It is basically Kerala's Onam special wrestling sport which is quite popular and is practiced in central Kerala and towards the North. In this particular wrestling sport two contestants participate each & grapple each other and exchange blows to toss down the opponent whosoever did so wins the game.  However, Onathallu takes place in the afternoon after Onam’s sumptuous lunch. 

Thrissur

Thrissur’s Swaraj Round is one of the must visit place during the Onam festivities. At the time of Onam hundreds of grown men dressed up as tigers come to the Swaraj Round and dance to the beat of traditional percussion instruments. It is one of the unique ways to celebrate Onam which one should definitely not miss.

Alleppey

Alleppey or Alappuzha is one of the must visit destination in Kerala to experience the best of Onam. Imagine enjoying Onam on a houseboat which makes way through the beautiful backwaters of Kerala exploring the scenic villages nestled around it. Moreover, you can also tempt your taste buds with tempting delicacies which are cooked during Onam festival only.  

Ernakulam

There is a hot spot in Ernakulam for Onam celebrations and that is Thrippunithura. Layam Ground in Thrippunithura is one of the best venues where lots of cultural events are organized within the 10 days of Onam celebration starting with the popular Athachamayam Festival. It is the event which begins with a street parade where one can witness the art forms of Kerala. It is another must visit destination to observe the festivities of Onam.

Kannur

Here at this city Onam is celebrated with a popular form of worship which is called as Theyyam. It is usually practiced in the North Malabar area of Kerala and it holds a special significance during Onam. However, the performers of Theyyam belong to the lower caste and locals consider Theyyam itself as God & seek blessings. Apart from this, Onapottan is another concept which one can witness during Onam in Kannur. So, if you’re looking forward to have new experience then head out to these places for a wonderful Onam celebration.