Onam and Pulikali Festival

Onam and Pulikali Festival

News: As part of the Onam 2023 celebration in Kerala, people across state performed Pulikali.

About Onam:
• Onam is the most important and widely celebrated harvest festival in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
• The festival typically lasts for ten days, with the main celebrations taking place in the month of Chingam, which falls in August or September of the Gregorian calendar.
• Onam is associated with the mythological King Mahabali, who is believed to have been a wise and benevolent ruler. People celebrate his return to Kerala during Onam.
• During Onam, people wear traditional clothing known as 'Mundu' for men and 'Kasavu saree' for women. These outfits are elegant and white with gold borders.
• Onam is known for its grand feasts called 'Onasadya,' which includes a variety of vegetarian dishes served on banana leaves.
• Folk dance forms like 'Kathakali' and 'Pulikali' are performed during Onam, along with other cultural events and competitions.
• The 'Vallamkali' or snake boat races are a major highlight of Onam, with beautifully decorated long boats competing in thrilling races.

About Pulikali:
• Pulikali is a traditional folk art from Kerala. It is performed by trained artists who paint themselves as tigers or leopards and dance to the beats of drums.
• Pulikali means ‘tiger dance’ in Malayalam. It is a way of celebrating Onam, the annual harvest festival of Kerala. P
• ulikali is especially popular in Thrissur district, where thousands of people gather to watch the colorful spectacle. Pulikali dates back to over 200 years, when it was introduced by the Maharaja of Cochin. It is a symbol of the culture and heritage of Kerala