While Kerala still struggles with the monsoon flood fury, the state is attempting to celebrate the festival of Onam with great adversity. According to the Malayalam calendar, Onam is celebrated in the month of Chingam (August-September). Keralites celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. In the 10-day long festival of harvest, people dress up in beautiful traditional attires in vibrant colours. While women dress in traditional sarees (Kasavu saree), men dress up in shirts and ‘mundu’ (the traditional dhoti of the Keralites). Deciding what to wear can be a tricky job, but we are here to help you with that. Happy Onam 2018 Greetings: WhatsApp Messages, Facebook Status, Quotes, GIFs Images & SMSes to Send Wishes on the Harvest Festival.

Onam is a potpourri of fun, festivities and fashion. The first day of the festival is known as Atham and the last day is commonly known as Thiruvonam. People wear new clothes and decorate the front of their houses with Pookalam (Rangoli with flowers). The dress code for Onam is a combination of white and gold. The most appropriate outfit to wear would be a golden-white saree known as the Kasavu saree. Kasavu sarees are also referred to as Kerala Kasavu and Mundam Nerevathum in many parts of the state.

Kasavu Saree

Onam 2018 traditional Kasavu saree. (Photo Credits: Facebook)

Instead of traditional saree, young women also wear golden-bordered skirts with blouses with a brocade pattern. The colour gold is said to represent positive energies and prosperity. Brocaded blouses have always been a fashion trend. A striking combination would be cream saree with golden borders and a red brocade blouse. Women style their outfits with flowers in their hair and gold jewellery. Onam 2018: Enjoy A Delicious Kerala-Style Lunch or Sadhya in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata At These Restaurants.

This year, you can also opt for a contemporary style and adorn a handwoven anarkali with kasavu borders. You can also pair the anarkali with a short sleeveless jacket embellished with latest floral motifs to make it look trendy. Young girls can Infuse a modern touch to their traditional outfit by teaming a long kurta with flary palazzo pants. Instead of a long kurta one can also opt for a crop top with ruffled sleeves and golden borders.

To keep with their tradition, men usually keep it simple by wearing white clothing and mundu (traditional dhoti) with golden borders. The mundu is made of cotton with a silk border and is tucked around the waist and reaches to the ankle. The mundu is paired with an embroidered kurta or shirt or sometimes just a plain white shirt or kurta.

Men dressed in traditional mundu

Traditional dress for men for Onam. (Photo Credits: Facebook)

Traditional clothing of Kerala reflects the simplicity and inherent lifestyle of Malayalis. The rich culture of the state comes out in its best form during the 10-day long festival. The days are termed as Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and Thiruvonam. The festival comprises of feasts, folk songs, elegant dances and energetic games.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2018 04:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).