Question

Onam is the main festival of which state?
A) Karnataka
B) Kerala
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer 1

Hint: Onam is an annual festival observed in India's southernmost state. It is a harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis that falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of the Malayalam calendar, which coincides with August–September in the Gregorian calendar.

Complete answer:
The Onam festival is held to honour King Mahabali, a kind-hearted and well-loved demon who is said to return to Kerala during this time.

Let us look at the given options:
A) Karnataka: This option is incorrect because the main festival of Karnataka is Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturti, is a Hindu festival commemorating Ganesh's arrival on Earth with his mother Goddess Parvati/Gauri from Kailash Parvat.
B) Kerala: This is the correct option. Onam is the official state festival of Kerala with public holidays that start four days from Uthradom (Onam eve). Major festivities take place across 30 venues in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
C) Tamil Nadu: This option is incorrect because the main festival of Tamil Nadu is Pongal. The Pongal festival, which takes place from January 13 to January 16, is one of the most prominent and popular celebrations in the country, attracting visitors from all over the country. Pongal is a harvest celebration in which people express gratitude to the Sun God for supplying energy that aids crops.
D) Andhra Pradesh: This option is incorrect because Pongal, Ugadi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Visakha Utsav, Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam, Lumbini Festival, Rayalaseema Food & Dance Festival, Deccan Festival, and Christmas are some of the major holidays observed in Andhra Pradesh with tremendous fervour.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (B) i.e, Kerala.

Note: Few events that are performed during Onam celebrations.Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women's dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhcha Kula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamay.