The Onam is a harvest festival in the state of Kerala held in commemoration of King Mahabali and Vamana. It features a wide variety of cultural events and activities, such as the craft of floral rangoli, which is known as Pookalam.
Onam is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in India, particularly in the state of Kerala. The festivities begin a week and a half before the actual day. This year Onam is from September 6 to September 15.
The festivities and activities for the Onam include a wide variety of events such as boat races, cultural programmes, sports contests, dancing events, martial arts demonstrations, and crafting flower rangoli, which is called Pookalam.
During the Onam holiday, a stunning method of adorning the home is to utilise Pookalam. As you prepare to celebrate Onam, we have gathered some stunning Pookalam designs that you can use to decorate your home effortlessly.
See also: Rangoli designs for Pongal to decorate your home
What is pookalam and its importance?
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Know about: easy simple pookalam design
The flower bed or flower arrangements created during Onam in Kerala are known as AthaPookalam or Onam Pookalam. This rangoli made of flowers is used not only to greet guests but also King Mahabali, who was a lineage of the Brahmin guru Kashyapa and the grandson of Prahlada.
Traditional Pookalam preparation starts on the Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The Pookalam originally consisted of 10 small, circular steps. In Hinduism, the 10 steps or rings are thought to symbolise ten distinct deities. In addition, it is said that the flowery carpet symbolises the battle between Asuras (demons) and Devas (Demigods).
Historically, each day of the 10-day Onam celebration is depicted on the Pookalam. On the Atham day, there will be just 1 ring; on the Chithira day, there will be 2 rings; and on the Thiruvonam day, there will be 10 rings. On the first day, a single colour of the flower is used; on the second day, 2 colours; and on the last day, 10 distinct colours.
Simple Onam pookalam designs for home: The basics
The Pookalam is more than merely arranging flowers in a precise way. To do this methodically, there are a few measures you must take.
Step 1: Set the pookalam’s dimensions and pattern
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It is best to plan out the design and Pookalam’s dimensions on paper before beginning to create it. Thanks to this, you may easily decide on the blooms’ variety, hue, and size. You have complete freedom over the Pookalam’s colour scheme.
Step 2: Draw the floor plan using chalk and thread
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The Pookalam will undoubtedly have an ungainly appearance due to its uneven foundation design. Before arranging the flowers, you should draw a rough shape of the Pookalam on the ground. When sketching a plan on the ground, it is essential to moisten the chalk beforehand. Doing so ensures that the outline will survive the whole procedure. For the really talented, a quick sketch on paper is all that’s needed to replicate the final design in full. Instead, you may use a thread and some chalk to make circles of varying sizes. It’s also possible to use Rangoli powder to draw the design’s contour directly onto the floor.
Step 3: Prepare the flower arrangements
The time required to set up the Pookalam may be greatly reduced with careful preparation. While the rest of your team is sketching the design, a few people may begin removing the petals from the flowers. Group them together by size, colour, and form. It is possible to utilise entire flowers in the Pookalam if desired. But don’t plan too far ahead or the night before. There’s a chance the flowers’ colour and freshness could fade.
Step 4: Incorporate flowers into the design
Once the Pookalam pattern has been drawn, flower petals may be used to fill in the outline. Always begin in the middle of the Pookalam and go outward. Otherwise, you may find yourself unable to place flowers in the middle! In addition, it might be difficult to repair if anything goes wrong.
20 Onam Pookalam designs 2024
Ganesh-theme athapookalam
Design a colourful floral Pookalam with a Ganesha design in the centre. This simple design with concentric circles creates a welcoming look.
Source: Pinterest
Pookalam design with artwork
You can include interesting artwork in the Pookalam design. This Pookalam traditional art features King Mahabali and Vamana.
Source: Pinterest/ spiderkerala.net
Peacock Pookalam Design
You can create a colourful Pookalam Design based on Peacock theme. The blue, green and bright yellow colours create an eye-catching look.
Source: Pinterest
Nature-inspired theme for Pookalam Design
You can incorporate different nature-inspired designs to blend with the Pookalam. Use colourful flower petals to achieve this stunning design.
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Kathakali theme Pookalam design
Creating a colourful Kathakali face in the Pookalam is quite popular. Choose this design to give your home a welcoming look.
Source: Pinterest
See also: All about Kerala house designs
Geometric Pookalam
Make interesting geometric shapes with flower petals for Pookalam design. You can choose simple shapes or complex designs to enhance the overall appeal.
Source: Pinterest
Star-shaped Pookalam Design
You can go for creative star-shaped designs that reflect symmetry and perfection to make your Pookalam design look appealing.
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Mandala-inspired Pookalam
This Pookalam design features intricate patterns of a mandala with a focal point. You can use different coloured flowers to create a unique design.
Source: Pinterest
Diya Pookalam
Design a Pookalam and adorn it with diyas at different corners, including the centre. This design also works well for Diwali decorations and other festivals.
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Rose Pookalam design
You can create unique Pookalam designs with petals of different flowers. This rose pookalam includes yellow flower petals to create an interesting design.
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Circular design
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Sometimes the most basic things can also be the most impressive. This Pookalam serves as a model for all others to follow. Arrange the flowers in concentric circles, beginning with the ones that are the smallest in the centre. For an additional beautiful effect, you may divide the rings up using various colours.
Flower design
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This Onam Pookalam requires relatively little effort to put together, yet the design is really elegant. Construct the Pookalam into the likeness of a flower with a variety of coloured petals. If you want to experiment, you may make some modest adjustments to the number of petals the flower has.
Minimal design
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This elegant-looking Pookalam was made with only three different kinds of flowers, despite its very straightforward construction. If you examine it attentively, you will see that the pattern is fairly straightforward to replicate.
Leaves design
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Pookalams do not have to be created only with flowers. You may include some green colour into the design by adding leaves, either cut up or left in their whole. The use of greenery in the Pookalam is said to bring wealth and is a wonderful complement to the design of a traditional Pookalam.
3D Pookalam design
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The key to successfully completing a three-dimensional Pookalam is to develop the design such that it has a sense of depth. Take note of the masses of flowers that have been strategically put in particular areas of the Pookalam! The appearance of a three-dimensional design is given by these supplemental blossoms when they are arranged in a heap.
Spiral Pookalam design
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This Pookalam may not seem like it has a lot of sophistication at first glance. However, the most difficult part of this task is going to be achieving the desired symmetrical form for each spiral round. If you don’t get the proportions of the spirals right, then the whole Pookalam is going to seem odd and cluttered.
Om design
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The instructions for following this design are somewhat difficult to understand. You will, however, be successful in completing this Pookalam if you put in a little more effort and show some tolerance. The syllable Om is revered as holy and is regarded as a particularly potent component of the sound. It is a representation of limitless might. It is the focal point of this Pookalam and lends an air of intricacy to the overall appearance of the Onam Pookalam.
The Vallam kali, or boat race design
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The Onam celebration would not be complete without the Vallam kali, also known as the traditional boat race. The celebration takes place in the autumn, around the time of the Onam harvest festival. This Pookalam, which is based on the Vallam kali, is fairly well-known, and it is often performed during Pookalam contests. You must pay special attention to the myriad of subtle elements that are included in the Pookalam design.
Kathakali design
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The Kathakali dance style is indigenous to the Indian state of Kerala. During the Onam season, you should try your hand at making an Onam Pookalam with a kathakali design, since this would be the most suitable thing to do. However, this is a challenging task, and you will need some prior expertise to do it successfully!
Pookalam design with diya or lamps
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You may give the Onam Pookalam a little bit of additional glitz and glamour by lighting up a few lights or diyas, either within or around the Pookalam. Put your artistic skills to the test and see if you can pull off a Pookalam for Onam.
Unless you are engaged in a head-to-head competition with another individual, we strongly advise you not to put undue pressure on yourself to achieve perfection. After all, Onam is all about taking care of one another, having compassion for others, and coming together. Have a good time with your loved ones and friends while you’re going through the procedure, and don’t forget to have some fun!
Bonus tips
Decorate the entrance with flowers and leaves
Rose garlands and marigold wreaths are both lovely options for adorning the front door of your house. You may either wrap it with the garland around the pillars in the entryway, or you can hang it from the ceiling there. Mango leaves may be used to fashion torans and other wall hangings, which can then be hung at the entrance to the home.
Light the diyas
Diyas play a significant role in a variety of Indian celebrations, similar to their role in other festivals. In the same vein, the Onam celebration would be without something important without the diyas. In the evening, you may create a celebratory ambience by lighting diyas or candles at your door and on your balconies. This will look beautiful.
Add fresh fragrance
A bowl filled with fragrant jasmine can be kept in the living room, where it will provide an air of merriment to the whole house thanks to the aroma it exudes. To disperse scent further, you may also put rose petals in water bowls.
Teamwork & patience!
Preparing a large Pookalam isn’t a simple undertaking. It can be quite a tedious endeavour, requiring hours upon hours of consistent effort at times. The answer to that question is going to be determined by how difficult the Pookalam is. It is customary for all members of the family to participate in the preparation of the Onam Pookalam, which helps to ensure that the celebration is really one that the whole family can enjoy. You might also enlist the assistance of your close friends in the preparation of the Onam Pookalam.
see also about Ceylon
FAQs
What flowers are used in the Onam Pookalam?
Marigold, also known as Jamanthi, is a popular flower used in Onam Pookalam. These flowers are unique in that they appear in a variety of colours, including yellow, red, white, and orange. It is also known as the blossoms of joy and colour.
Which flower is the most significant in Onam?
Thumba, also known as Ceylon Slitwort, is a small white flower integral to the Onam Pookalam. Thumba is the only flower used on Attam for the Onam Pookalam (the first day of Onam).
How many colours does Pookalam incorporate?
This pattern needs just five petals in shades of yellow, saffron, white, red, and violet.
What preparations do you make in Onam?
Onam is a major celebration for Keralans. They worship, construct rangoli known as Pookalam, adorn their homes, partake in boat races, dance, and prepare Sadhya, a traditional dinner. It is served with a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes, pickles, and desserts on a banana leaf.
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With 16+ years of experience in various sectors, of which more than ten years in real estate, Anuradha Ramamirtham excels in tracking property trends and simplifying housing-related topics such as Rera, housing lottery, etc. Her diverse background includes roles at Times Property, Tech Target India, Indiantelevision.com and ITNation. Anuradha holds a PG Diploma degree in Journalism from KC College and has done BSc (IT) from SIES. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and travelling.Email: anuradha.ramamirtham@housing.com
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