The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vama) is installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season. Children go around collecting flowers for the decoration of front portion of their house in different designs and forms which change from day to day. The most important days of the festival are Uthradom Thiruvonam days. On the latter, a grand feast called Onasadhya is held in every home. The ladies of the household are up early that day to begin the preparation for this feast. The food is served in large freshly plucked plantain leaves, each item in specified order. Kichadi, pachadi, eliseri, puliseri, olan, aviyal, pappadam, banana chips, all these make up the top half, from right to left. Pickles take up the bottom left corner. But all these are just side dishes for the hot steaming puzhukkal ari (boiled rice) to be eaten with sambar, kaalan, rasam and buttermilk. Onam provides an occasion for family get-together for the Keralites. Everybody celebrates it, irrespective of religion or caste.
In
the hot months of April/May, attention shifts to Thrissur for the Thrissur
Pooram, where caparisoned elephants , glittering umbrellas, fire works and
the rising sounds of the traditional percussion ensemble combine in front of the
vadakkunathan temple, offering a treat for the senses. Chenda Melam and
Kodamattam are other attractions, which have gained national reputation.
Thrissur Pooram is the harbinger of ‘Vedikkettu’ (fireworks). People
throng in massive proportion to experience the excitement of fireworks
competition. Pooram is an expression of aesthetic human minds and popular
fascination for rhythm, sound and colour and it does fascinate and thrill people
of all tastes.
In
April/May, Malayalees celebrate Vishu, The new year of the Malayalam calender.
It is characterised in Malayali homes, by the ' first sighting ' of auspicious
articles ceremoniously placed before a lamp. Elders in the family also gift
token amounts of money to the younger members.