After nine days of systematic pookalam, on the ninth day, we put pookalam in the morning and and two pookalams in the evening. Meanwhile nee dresses will be bought, as wearing Onakkodi is an important tradition in Onam.
On Utradam (Onnam Onam/first day of Onam), we put a pookalam in the morning.
During the daytime preparation are done to make the grand pookalam in the evening. This varies in different sides of Kerala. In some areas, last pookalam will be put on Utradam morning. On the next day, either the same pookalam will be there or there won’t be any. Towards the area of my maternal house there are two pookalams on Utradam evening.
The first pookalam on Utradam evening will be a small one, which is put towards the gate and the second one will be a large on put on our doorstep. This is to welcome Onathappan from the gate to our doorstep.
On Utradam evening, after putting the pookalam, we I’ll make everything ready for the ethirelkal or welcome ceremony. We need to get ready with Thumbs flowers cut into small pieces. In some areas, mukooti will added along with thumba while in some other areas, kuruthola, or the sprouting leaves of Coconut tree which we use on Palm Sunday will be added. Here I used only Thumba
Next it’s Onathappan. Usually wooden or clay cones are used as onathappans. .
Next the Elaada will prepared. It’s a steak cooked cake like preparation. We will heat the plantain leaves in the flames so as to soften them
Next, a soft dough is made using rice flour and water, which is spread over softened leaves
Grated coconut and grated jaggery are mixed together, and stuffed inside it and wrapped
This wrap goes in to the idli cooker and cooked for 10-15 min
These are the preparations. What happens next day on Thiruvonam will be seen in the next post. Watch the previous days’ customs in my previous posts.
Holistic Wellness with Rakhi 
I didn’t anything about such tradition. It is always good to know 🙂 Thanks for this!
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Happy to know that my post was useful to you
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wow..such a beautiful explanation of the ninth day of Onam. I loved the picture story and towards the end of your post, my salivary glands started to itch 🙂
Such a wonderful festival definitely requires such a wonderful post (yours). Thanks for explaining it so well.
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Will give you more details on Sadya in the next post
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This is a beautiful and very interesting tradition. I like learning about different cultures and this looks like a wonderful one.
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Thanks a lot
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I have lived in Kerala for 14 years and have come to love the beautifully designed pookalams people make during onam. Those images of the pookaĺams look really beautiful.
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Thanks a lot. Most of them were using household flowers.
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I knew Pookalams were important part of the festivities, but did not knew so many variations of it. Will go back and read other posts in the series too!
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Thank a ton. Will post the last one in the series today
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Happy to know more about Onam through your series.
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Thanks. Feels good to know that you liked it
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That’s interesting to know in detail about Onam from your post. thanks for sharing
Would love to try steamed ellada someday
I love to read about Indian traditions and festivals they have an aura of happiness in them.
#PraGunReads #MyFriendAlexa
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Thanks a lot. Ela ada is just yummmmm
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What I love the most about any South Indian festival is colors. Not just Onam almost all festivals are vibrant and colorful and having Rakhi as friend allowed me to know about this festival more
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Happy Onam! It was great to learn aboyt the traditions of onam in such a simple and interesting manner☺️ I like reading about new cultures and festivals a lot👍👍
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Great sharing! This was really informative for me especially living in Singapore with lots of Indians. I’ve seen a lot of this whenever we go out especially on HDB’s but never really understood what it is for. I just try to respect the culture you guys have. Understanding more about what it symbolises helps!
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Wow, it feels so delight to know details about the Onam festival. Niw I am curious to be a part of this beautiful festival.
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This is really amazing post. I am reading to enjoy about Happy Onam festivals and yummy food. Your family happiness. I really loved and interested it . Thank you for sharing this 😊❣️
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I learnt from you last year from your Instagram handle..it’s always nice to see our tradition. It’s different but so rich. Through your blog , added onther culture details with all step by step.
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