Monday, 12 September 2016

4-13 SEP 2016 ONAM 

Onam 2016 - The Ecstatic Days Of Fun & Reunion

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Onam 2016 will be will celebrated on September 13. This festival is celebrated for four to ten days as the homecoming of mythical king, Mahabali. Being a joyous festival, Onam is the time for fun, get-togethers, delicious meals and a lot more. Read to know more about Onam in 2016.
It’s 2016 and the biggest festival of kerala has arrived and it will be celebrated on September 13. It usually occurs in early September or late August. Onam is a festival. It commemorates the homecoming of mythological King, Mahabali. Being the festival of Kerala, Onam depicts the culture and traditions of the state. As Onam is an exclusive festival of Kerala; therefore, the government here, observes this a ‘tourism week,’ during this festival.
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala which falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam, according to the Hindu Calendar. Other than marking the arrival of King Mahabali, Onam also signifies the birthday of Lord Vishnu's Vamana Avatar. Where each day of Onam has its own importance. Real celebrations are witnessed in Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kochi, and Kottayam.

Onam 2016: Meaning Of Onam Or Thiruvonam

The term ‘Onam’ or ‘Thiruvonam’ came into existence from the Sanskrit word ‘Shravanam’. In South India, ‘Thiru’ refers to passage of time and is used to denote places, events, and activities related to Lord Vishnu; whereas, Onam refers to the month Shravan or Shravanam.

Onam 2016: Attractions Of Onam

The first day of Onam is known as Atham whereas the last day is Thiruvonam. These ten enormous days of harvest festival of Onam offer a lot to see and enjoy. From the social gatherings to mouth watering dishes, from pickles & alluring Pookalam to the traditional outfits, Onam is all about fun and frolic. Let’s take a look at the main attractions of this harvest festival, which will be a part of Onam 2016 as well:
  • Beautiful Pookalam (floral mat)
  • Breathtaking Vallamkali (snake boat race)
  • Exotic Kaikottikali dance
  • Tempting Onasadya (the elaborate meal)

Onam 2016 Dates

To make sure you celebrate all the days and events of Onam 2016, we have provided this table telling about Onam 2016 dates.
DateDayTithiEvent
September 4, 2016SundayChaturthiAtham
September 5, 2016MondayPanchamiChithira
September 6, 2016TuesdayShashthiChothi
September 7, 2016WednesdaySaptamiVishakham
September 8, 2016ThursdayAshtamiAnizham
September 9, 2016FridayNavamiThrikketta
September 10, 2016SaturdayDashamiMoolam
September 11, 2016SundayEkadashiPooradam
September 12, 2016MondayDwadashiUthradam
September 13, 2016TuesdayTrayodashiThiruvonam
These dates of Onam 2016 are accurate and will definitely help you in enjoying more of this harvest festival.

Onam 2016: The Ten Festive Days Of Harvest Festival

Onam is celebrated for 10 days and each day has its own name and importance. Let’s talk about each day of Onam 2016 in detail.
Onam 2016: Day 1, Atham (September 4, 2016)
Onam begins with celebration of Atham, the first day of this festival. On this auspicious day, people get up early morning, take bath, wear clean clothes, and visit temple to offer prayers. The highlight of this day is the preparation of Pookalam or Athapoo. Pookalam is a floral mat which is prepared by the people on Atham. Afterwards, it is laid down in the courtyard for the remaining nine festive days. Purpose behind preparing and laying Pookalam is to welcome the spirit of legendary King Mahabali, who as per the beliefs of the people, pay a visit on each Onam.
Onam 2016: Day 2, Chithira (September 5, 2016)
Second day of Onam is celebrated as Chithira. On this day too, people visit temple to offer prayers and seek blessings for themselves and for their families. Fresh flowers are added to Pookalam and preparations for the grand day i.e. Thiruvonam, starts from Chithira. This is the day to make plans for the main festive day. Shopping is done, events to be organized are discussed and demands of gifts are made by the children.
Onam 2016: Day 3, Chothi (September 6, 2016)
Also known as Chothi, Chodhi is the third day of Onam. The already beautiful Pookalam is made more attractive on this day by addition of some more flowers. Buzz of people is seen in the markets, shopping for new clothes, accessories, and gifts. To decorate the homes, household decoration items are purchased. Chodhi is the day when huge discounts and offers are given by the shopkeepers on almost every item.
Onam 2016: Day 4, Vishakham (September 7, 2016)
Visakam, the fourth day of Onam, is the day to speed up the celebration preparations. Streets are seen busy and crowded, women are seen preparing sweets, pickles, and Papad. On Visakam, women dress beautiful in their traditional attire and engage themselves in singing, making merry and working on the eye catching Pookalam.
Boat_races_of_Kerala_DSW.JPG
Onam 2016: Day 5, Anizham (September 8, 2016)
Here comes the fifth and one of the most interesting day of Onam, Anizham. The main event or you can say the highlight of this day is Vallamkali, the popular snake boat race. On the banks of Pamba river, Kerala, the race is organized. All the boats are decorated with beautiful flowers and are oared by a number of oarsmen. People and tourists from all over the world, come to witness this grand event and the atmosphere sees a high degree of zeal and excitement.
Onam 2016: Day 6, Thrikketta (September 9, 2016)
Thriketta is the sixth day of Onam, the day which calls for family reunion. People staying away from their families, come back to their homes and enjoy the celebrations. On this day, social gatherings are held and various cultural events and programmes are organized. People from near by areas, participate in these activities and events; thereby, raising the festive mood to a great extent.
Onam 2016: Day 7, Moolam (September 10, 2016)
As the main day is coming closer, colors of celebration join the air on Moolam, the seventh day of Onam. All the faces brighten up with joy and the eagerness to celebrate the main day can be seen in the eyes of one and all.
Onam 2016: Day 8, Pooradam (September 11, 2016)
Pooradam, the eighth day of Onam, is very important. On this day, pyramid shaped clay idols are created and decorated with flowers. These idols are popularly known as Poorada Uttigal. On Pooradam, houses are cleaned to welcome King Mahabali or Onathappan. Pookalam is made even more beautiful with addition of more flowers, increasing its size. Pooradam is also the day to meet with friends and relatives and exchange warm greetings.
Onam 2016: Day 9, Uthradam (September 12, 2016)
The ninth and the second last day of Onam is Uthradam. Now is the time to complete all the incomplete things and make sure all preparations are done. As per the tradition of Uthradam, tenants present produce of their farms to the eldest member of the family, who then give them rewards. Ninth day i.e. Uthradam, is also known as Onnam Onam, meaning 'the first Onam'.
Onam 2016: Day 10, Thiruvonam (September 13, 2016)
Finally, it is Thiruvonam, the last and the main day of Onam. On this day, Kerala wears the color of real celebration and joy. As a part of the rituals, people wake up early morning and smear oil, over their body. This tradition is followed by taking bath and wearing traditional clothes. Echoes of Onashamsakal are heard everywhere and wishes are exchanged with near & dear ones. Temples are visited and prayers are made. The beautiful and large Pookalam is now made even more attractive to welcome King Mahabali. In the afternoon, the main meal of Thiruvonam, which is Onasadya, is prepared. This grand meal has 11-13 vegetarian dishes which are served on banana leaf. On this day, Onnakali or Onam games are also played by the people and Patassu (crackers) are burnt.
Though, Onam is a ten day festival, but there are some rituals which are done on the the eleventh and twelfth day also. These days are known as Avittom and Chathayam, respectively.
Onam 2016: Legend Behind Origin Of Onam
Legend says that long ago, Kerala was ruled by a generous and kind-hearted demon king, Mahabali. Under his governance, people of the kingdom were happy and contented. Soon, the King's benevolent nature and fame became talk of the town and he started ruling the entire world, including heaven. His growing power and rule, amazed Indra and other gods. On this, Aditi, mother of Devas, asked Lord Vishnu to reduce the powers of the king. Vishnu changed himself into the form of a dwarf man called Vamana and went to the King. At that time, Mahabali was performing Yajna. Vamana on approaching the King, asked him for donation. Mahabali was impressed with Vamana's wisdom and asked him to make a wish. The dwarf man very humbly asked for three parts (measures) of land, to which Mahabali agreed. Vamana, increased his stature and covered the earth with his first step. With the second step, he covered heaven. Still the third step was left, the king realised that it could destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the final step. As soon as Lord Vishnu placed his foot on the king’s head, the king was sent to heavenly underworld or Sutala. As the lord knew the King’s love and affection for his kingdom, he granted him a boon to return once every year. It is from that day, people of Kerala celebrate Onam as the homecoming day of their King, Mahabali.
Onam 2016: Legend Of Palliodam Boat
As per this legend, once some men were sailing on a boat known as 'Palliodam'. The boat was burdened with food and got stuck at the turning point of the river. To seek help, the head of the oarsmen, Bhattathiripad, went to a nearby hut. Inside the hut, was a woman and her children who were crying out of poverty and hunger. As the man has more than enough food on his boat, he took out some of it and offered to them. The moment he gave them the food, the boat got navigated easily to the main course. From that day, it is believed that feeding food to a needy person on Onam, yields fruitful results and helps in achievement of all wishes and desires.
Feast Of The Day: Onam Sadya
Sadhya_DSW.jpg
Onam is the duration of those 10 days which are filled with zeal, fervor, enthusiasm, culture, and some really ravishing dishes. Yes, Onam is the time to enjoy 'Onam Sadya', the grand meal. This meal which consists of 11-13 different dishes that are purely vegetarian. To give this dish more traditional touch, it is served on a banana leaf.
Onam 2016: Onam Customs & Traditions
Maveli Puja: Maveli Puja conducted on the ninth and tenth day of Onam, is a very significant ritual. As part of this Puja, three small sized figures (models) are created from red sand and are installed at the verandah. These figures are honored as King Mahabali and are worshiped in early morning and at dusk.
Tripunithura Athachamayam: Under this custom, comes a grand procession which is organized at Thripunithura. Tripunithura Athachamayam marks the beginning of Onam, is practiced since ages. In ancient times, it was a royal tradition and today, after so many years, this tradition is still very much alive in the hearts of the people. The charm, importance, and legacy of Tripunithura Athachamayam can be felt on every Onam. Uniquely dressed up elephants are the limelight of this procession.
Onathallu: This is also a very old custom of Onam and is also known as Kayyankali. It involves barehanded fight in which the warriors dress in Dhoti or white color cotton clothes. To protect their legs from injury, they wear bandage around them. Onathallu is a sort of game which is played by the male members of the family.
Onam in 2016 is the time to add some beautiful memories in your life. Celebrate each day of Onam 2016 with your family & friends and surprise them by giving a visit. On this Onam, strengthen your bonds and relations with your loved ones. We wish you a very happy Onam in 2016. It’s time for celebration, it’s time for feast, and it’s time for reunion.
AstroCAMP wishes you a Happy Onam in 2016!
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Onam 2016 - September 13 (Tuesday)

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the Keralites celebrate unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters; the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Colourful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred river Pamba.

After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom. It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam.

Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are centered around worshiping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). Onam is a harvest festival, and celebrates the bounty of nature after a year of hard labour. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with coloured rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their houses.

Onam is a celebration of Ten days. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King Mahabali. There is competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world celebrate these ten days with pomp and gaiety. They wear new dresses, visits almost all the temples they can, performs lot of dances like Thiruvathira kali and Thumbi Tullal  and the most important thing is the grant lunch they  have on the Thiuruvonam day  which is also called the Fourth Onam. People of Kerela never miss the Grant lunch. A saying in Malayalam quotes "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day.

Onam (Kerala) Festivals Videos





Dancing in Onam Festival






Onam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Onam
Thiruvonapulari.JPG
Preparation for Thiruvonam day
Official nameMalayalam: ഓണം
Observed byMalayalis
TypeRegional Festival/Indian festival
SignificanceHarvest festival
ObservancesSadya, Thiruvathira Kali, Puli Kali, Pookalam, Ona-thallu, Thrikkakarayappan, Onathappan, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula in Guruvayur, Athachamayam inThrippunithura and Vallamkali(Boat race).
DateThiruvonam Nakshatra in the month of Chingam
2015 date28 August
2016 date14 September
2017 date4 September
Frequencyannual
Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is the biggest festival celebrated in Kerala, India.[1] It is also the State festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 3rd Onam Day.
The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of home-coming of the mythical King Mahabali.[2] In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Kummati kali, Onathallu, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc.[3] Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.

Significance[edit]

Onam is a community festival
Onam celebrations are essentially connected with temples
Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. It's one of the rarest festival which is celebrated by a complete state, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali (locally known as Maveli) has been revered by the people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Thrikkakarappan[4][5] is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam). The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. In Onam 2016, Thiruvonam date is 14 September.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:
... (Translation)
Onam mythology may have been devised as a political allegory/tool where by the subjects could remind the rulers about an Ideal King and a welfare state. Onam songs mentions many of the modern social/economic indicators of a Welfare State including Crime rates, Child Mortality rates etc. Rulers may also have promoted it as it may have served as an indicator/barometer of the popularity/unpopularity of their Governance policies. The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.[6][7][8]

The Ten Days of Onam Celebrations[edit]

The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The 10 days are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions.
Onapottan in traditional costume is a custom in northern parts of Kerala.Onapottan visits houses during the onam and gives blessings.[3] Of lateOnapottan has become a rare sight, confined to villages.
1. Atham The first day of Onam celebrations starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from Pathala (netherworld) to Kerala on this day. The day also marks the start of festivities at Thrikkakara temple, which is considered as the focal center of Onam and the abode of Mahabali, with the raising of the festival flag.[9] The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Atthachamayam. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple.[10] After independence, the public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which is now aggressively promoted as a tourist event.
The traditional ritual of laying pookkalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day. The pookkalam on this day is called Athapoo, and it is relatively small in size. The size of the pookkalam grows in size progressively with each day of the Onam festival. Only yellow flowers will be used on Atham with only one circular layer made and the design is kept simple. Statues or figurines of Mahabali and Vamana are also installed at the entrance of each house on this day.
2. Chithira The pookkalam design on the second day consists of a second layer added on top with 2 different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this day, people start cleaning the household to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.
3.Chodhi On the third day of Onam celebrations, the pookalam starts growing in its size by adding new layers or designs with at least 4 to 5 different flowers. The day also marks the start of shopping activities. Onam is associated with gifting new clothes, hence from this day onwards people start buying new clothes and jewellery.
4.Vishakam The fourth day of Onam celebrations. Vishakam is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the markets open their harvest sale on this day, making one of the busiest days in the markets for public. Nowadays, Vishakam marks the start of many Onam-related competitions such as Pookkalam competition.
5.Anizham The fifth day of Onam celebrations is one of the most important days in the Onam celebration, as it kicks off the great Vallamkali (Snake boat race) in many parts of Kerala. The snake boats are prepared for participation in the boat race at Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali. A mock Vallamkali is conducted on this day at Aranmula as a dress-rehearsal for the final boat race which will be held after Onam.
6.Thriketa The sixth day of Onam celebrations. By the sixth day, the public frenzy starts building up. Most of the schools and public offices are granted holiday from this day onwards and people start packing their bags to their native homes to celebrate the festival with their dear ones. The pookkalam design will be very large by this time, with at least 5 to 6 new flowers types added to the original designs.
7.Moolam The seventh day of Onam celebrations. On this day, the smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam lunch feast) start in many places. Most of the temples offer special sadyas on from this day. Festivities include Puli Kali (masked leopard dance) and traditional dance forms like Kaikotti Kali which are performed in various functions. The official Government celebrations start on this day with heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode along with fireworks.
8.Pooradam The eight day of Onam celebrations. The day starts off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house in a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookkalam smeared with a rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who are called Poorada unnikal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan (Lord of Onam). The pookkalam design from Pooradam day onwards gets much bigger and complex in design. Shopping is one of the major activities as the public will be making final purchases for the great Thiruvonam day.
9.Uthradom The ninth day of Onam Celebrations. Uthradom is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. It is considered as Onam eve and celebrated in a very big way. The importance of this day is last minute extreme shopping frenzy called as Uthradappachil and is considered the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.[11]
Uthradam is known as 'First Onam' because it marks the day when King Mahabali descends onto Kerala. Traditional myths say that the king will spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom and blessing the subjects. Due to this, Uthradom is celebrated in a very pompous manner with larger pookkalams and celebrations in all households. The Uthradom lunch is generally grand. Women normally cut the first set of vegetables on this day that marks the celebrations of Thiruvonam in each household and preparations for grand Thiruvonam feast also start during the evening of Uthradom day.
10.Thiruvonam The tenth and final day of Onam celebrations that culminates the 10 days of Onam Carnival. The day is known as Thiru-Onam (Sacred Onam Day) also known as 'Second Onam'. Myth says that this was the day Mahabali was sent to the netherworld (Pathalam) by Vamana. The day marks the return of Mahabali to his fabled land (Kerala), as per the boon he received from Vamana to meet his subjects and bless them. Apart from this myth, this day is considered auspicious being birthdays of several temple deities representing Vishnu, like Vamana of Thrikkakara temple, Sree Padmanabha Swamy of Thiruvananthapuram etc.
Activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, apply rice flour batter on the main entrance (a traditional welcome sign), take an early bath, wear new clothes and distribute alms to needy. The eldest female member of each family presents clothes to all the members of the family. Special prayers and Masses are organized in temples, churches and mosques that highlight the secular nature of festival. The pookkalam is prepared to welcome Mahabali.
Most cities in Kerala, such as the political, commercial and cultural capitals Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Thrissur, are lit up with lights and fabulous displays of fireworks. Sumptuous Onam Sadya feasts are prepared. In Thrikkakara temple, a mega-feast is conducted which is open to the public and is attended by more than twenty thousand people.[12] The afternoon is marked with various traditional Onam games, usually seen in rural areas, and are organized by resident associations and clubs in large cities. In some parts of Kerala, people indulge in various games and dances (Onakkalikal) during and post Thiruvonam. These include Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali, Pulikali etc.
Post Onam celebrations
Onam Celebration at a school inPallikkal Bazar
Normally, the largest chunk of Onam celebrations end by Thiruvonam. However the two days following Thiruvonam are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avvittom marks the preparations for King Mahabali's return ascension to heavens. The main ritual of the day is to take the Onathappan statue which was placed in the middle of every pookkalam during the past 10 days and immerse it in nearby rivers or sea. The pookkalam will be cleaned and removed after this. The day is also important, as the famous Pulikali is held in the city of Thrissur. In this, men dressed as lions, tigers and leopards, parade through the city in large numbers. The Puli-Kali also mark the end of traditional Onam celebrations.
The fourth day of Onam is called as Chatayam. The official government celebrations ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.

Rituals and activities[edit]

Children making traditional pookkalam
Onam falls in the month of Chingam, which is the first month according to the Malayalam Calendar. The celebrations begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year and go on for ten days. All over the state of Kerala, festive rituals, traditional cuisine, dance and music mark this harvest festival. The ten-day Onam festival is considered to be flagged off with Atthachamayam (Royal Parade on Atham Day) in Thripunithara (a suburb of Kochi City).[10]The parade is colourful and depicts all the elements of Kerala culture with more than 50 floats and 100 tableaux. The main center of festival is at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple within Kochi City, believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.
The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most important ones are the first day, Atham, and the tenth and final day, Thiru-Onam (Thiruvonam). The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the festival.

Pookkalam[edit]

An overhead view of a pookalam
The floral carpet, known as ‘Onapookkalam’,[13] is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. It is considered a work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. (In a similar manner North Indians make something called "Rangoli" which is made of powders of various colors.) When completed, a miniature pandal, hung with little festoons is erected over it.
Traditionally, Atthapookalams (pookalam made on the Atham day) included flowers endemic to Kerala and the Dashapushpam (10-flowers), but nowadays all varieties of flowers are used.[14] Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house along with the Pookalam, and beautifully decorated with flowers. In the recent years, the floral designs have evolved from the traditional circular shape to unique designs depicting different cultural and social aspects of Kerala life. All over Kerala, Pookalam competitions are a common sight on Onam day.[10] People start putting atha-pookalams from Atham ( First day of 10-day festival ) till thiruvonam, while only some put Onam Pookalams till the 28th day after thiruvonam.

Onam Sadya[edit]

Sadya
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala, India. This is a special feast lunch on that day served on banana leaf traditionally. There will be usually rice and more than 10 side dishes and a sweet at the end.
The Onam sadya (feast) is another very indispensable part of Thiruvonam,[13] and almost every Keralite attempts to either make or attend one. The feast is served on plantain leaves and consists of about 26 dishes, including (but not limited to)[15]
Various vegetable curries such as
  • Thoran
  • Mezhukkupuratti
  • Kaalan
  • Olan
  • Avial
  • Sambhar
  • Dal served along with a small quantity of ghee
  • Erisheri
  • Rasam
  • Puliseri
  • Moru (Curd with water)
  • Pickles, both sweet and sour
  • Two different types of buttermilk
  • A chutney powder prepared from grated coconut
  • A series of dessert called Payasam (a sweet dish made of milk, sugar, jaggery and other traditional Indian savories) eaten either straight or mixed with a ripe small plantain.
In hotels and temples, the number of curries and dishes may go up to 30. The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb "Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam" which means "One must have the Onam lunch even selling his property, to have so"[13]

Music and dance[edit]

Traditional dance forms including Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal etc. are performed as part of celebrations all over Kerala at this time. Thiruvathirakali is a women's dance performed in a circle around a lamp, and is given special importance during Onam. Kummattikali is a famous and colorful-mask dance. In Thrissur, festivities includes a procession consisting of caparisoned elephants surrounded by Kummatikali dancers. The masked dancers go from house to house performing the colorful Kummattikali.
Kathakali dance is also commonly performed during this time, with dancers enacting famous mythological legends.[7] A famous venue for this is at Valluvanad which is associated with the growth of Kathakali,[17] and Cheruthuruthy, where Kerala Kalamandalam is located.
Thiruvathira Kali during Onam in Kerala
Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season. This dance showcases performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, who dance to the beats of instruments like Chenda and thakil.
Performances of the ritual worship dance Theyyam are given during the Onam season.[3] In this, Mahabali is played by the Onathar. Its variations include characters such as Oneswaran and Onapottan.
Pulikali (Tiger dance) in Thrissur
At the Thrikkakara temple, every day of the festival showcases one or more of these activities including Kathakali, Thiruvathira, Chakyar koothu, Ottam thullal, Patakam, Onam songs and percussion instrument shows.[7][18]The Onasadya here is grand in scale, and is attended by over ten thousand people from all religions and faiths.[8]

Boat race[edit]

The Vallamkali (the snake boat race) is another event that is synonymous with Onam. Well-known races include the Aranmula Uthrattadhi Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. About 100 oarsmen row huge and graceful snake boats and men and women come from far and near to watch the snake boats skim through the water. As a tribute to the traditional snake boat race, a similar snake boat race is also held by the Malayali diaspora in Singapore annually during Onam at the Jurong Lake.[19]

Other customs[edit]

The tradition of buying and wearing new clothes for the occasion of Onam is called the Onakkodi.
During the Onam, Keralite Hindus install an image of Thrikkakara Appan or Onatthappan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) in their home[5] just as Hindus install images or murtis of Lord Ganesha on the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.
Many lamps are lit in Hindu temples of Kerala during this celebration.[20] A palmyra tree is erected in front of temples and surrounded with a wooden balustrade and covered with dry palmyra leaves.[20] It is lit with a torch and burned to ashes to signify that King Mahabali went to Patala as a sacrifice.[20]
The swing is another integral part of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and women, decked in their best, sing Onappaatt, or Onam songs, and rock one another on swings slung from high branches.
Onam season is often associated with creativity as weavers and potters go for excess production to cater to increased demands for their products during the season, especially in North Kerala regions of Kannur andKasargod. Handloom fairs are an integral part of the spirit of Onam festivities these days.[3]
In some parts of Kerala, people indulge in various games and dances during and post-Thiruvonam. These are known as Onakkalikal. These include competitions such as Ox races (Maramadimatsaram), Uriyady, food eating competitions, Pookalam competitions etc.
The Chuttu-Vilakku (surrounding lamps) lit up during Onam at Thrikkakara temple

Celebrations by expatriates[edit]

Onam is also celebrated fervently by the huge Malayali diaspora found throughout the world. Celebrations are notable in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and USA.[19][21][22] In Dubai, a large event conducted by the diaspora consisting of arts performances, sadya and pookalam competitions, is a regular feature.

The legend[edit]

See also: Mahabali and Vamana
Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada (son of Hiranyakashyapa who was slain by Vishnu in his Narasimha Avatara). Prahlada, despite being an Asura, had great faith in Vishnu. Mahabali had become a devotee of Lord Vishnu as a child due to his grandfather Prahlada.[23]

Mahabali conquers the three worlds[edit]

Mahabali gradually became a powerful ruler of all the realms - heaven and earth, with the able guidance of his guru Shukracharya. The Devas (gods) saw the rise of the Asura king as a threat.[10][24] Envious of Mahabali's prosperity, the gods approached Vishnu and asked for his help, to which Vishnu agreed.
A variation of this story says that Vishnu stopped Mahabali as a boon to Aditi, who was the mother of the Devas.[23] Kashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi, who were the parents of the demons and the gods (Asuras and Devas) respectively. Kashyapa, who had gone to the Himalayas to do penance, on his return found Aditi weeping for the fall of the Devas and the rise of Asuras. He consoled her, asked her to pray to Vishnu and taught her Payovrata, a ritual that has to be observed from the 12th day of the bright half of Karthika (Sukla-paksha Dvadasi). Since Aditi carried out the Vrata with a pious heart, Vishnu appeared before her and agreed to help Indra, the king of Devas.
Another version of the story says that Mahabali grew pompous, due to the praise and respect by his courtiers and subjects, and came to believe that there was no greater person in the world other than him.[25] Believing himself to be the ruler of the three worlds, he took pride in thinking he could grant anyone whatever they asked. It is said that in order to curb his pride, Vishnu decided to teach Mahabali that the Almighty was still above him.
Eventually, Vishnu was born as a boy to Aditi, and known as the Brahmin Vamana.
In the meantime, Mahabali was performing the sacrificial rite of the Viswajith Yagam or Aswamedha Yagam[9][26] on the banks of the Narmada River in Brugacham, on the advice of his guru Shukracharya. The Vishwajith Yagam would allow Mahabali to secure very powerful weapons against Indra, thus further strengthening the Asura hold over the three worlds. Mahabali also declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this Yagam.
Vamana (blue faced dwarf) in the court of king Bali (Mahabali, right seated) seeking alms.

Vamana visits Mahabali[edit]

Taking advantage of the Yagam and Mahabali's declaration, Vamana (Vishnu disguised as a Brahmin) came to the Yaga-shala. Mahabali received the Brahmin boy with all traditional honours and courtesies. Mahabali expressed that it was his good fortune that Vamana had chosen to honour him with his presence. He asked Vamana what gift he desired, and said he was ready to fulfill anything. Vamana smiled and said: "I do not ask for anything great. All I need is land equivalent to three paces of my feet".
On hearing this, Mahabali's perceptive guru, Shukracharya, told Mahabali that the boy was no ordinary Brahmin, but Lord Vishnu Himself. He advised Mahabali not to promise the lad anything. But Mahabali was a king who would never go back on his word, considering it sinful to do so. Shukracharya insisted that he should not fulfill the demand of Vamana as he had come to deprive him of all his possessions.
However, all attempts of Shukracharya to dissuade Mahabali proved futile. Mahabali considered everyone who came to him for help as god himself and never refused them anything. Mahabali told his Guru: "Prana (life) and Maana (honour) are like the two eyes of a person. Even if life goes, honour should be protected. Knowing that the person that has come now is the Lord Himself, I should be the most fortunate one as the Lord, who gives everything to mankind, is seeking something from me." Mahabali gladly said that even if Vishnu himself were to come to his sacrifice and ask for anything, he would deliver it.[9][27]
Mahabali, determined to honour his promise, begged the pardon of his Guru for disregarding his advice, and resumed his promise to Vamana.

Mahabali's reign ends[edit]

Saying so, Mahabali asked Vamana to measure out his desired three paces of land.
Vamana as Tri-vikrama (victor of the three worlds) triumphing overBali
Vamana grew in size until he towered above the heavens. With one footstep, he measured all of the earth. With the second, he claimed all of heaven. There was still one foot of territory that Mahabali owed him. Mahabali requested Vamana to place the final step on his head as the third step of land, for he had no other left. Vamana did so and in doing so, sent him down to Sutala, the heaven-like underworld. The site where he placed his foot is said to be the village of Thrikkakara (meaning place of the holy foot), and is the centre of the renowned Onam festival celebrated in relation to the legend of King Mahabali.[citation needed]

Alternate legend[edit]

By traditional beliefs; Parasurama, an incarnation of Vishnu is credited to have founded Kerala. An alternate legend defines Onam as the day on which Parasurama recovered Kerala from the sea-bed by throwing his battle-axe. The axe traveled from Gokarnam in the North to Kanyakumari in the South.[28][29] This legend is mentioned by Hermann Gundert in his Malayalam Dictionary.[28]

See also[edit]

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