Onam is known to be one of the finest and richest festivals in Kerala, a festival of colours-widely celebrated by all the Malayalis in the world, irrespective of their locations. Onam, unlike other Kerala festivals, brings all members of the family together, under one roof , promoting happiness and prosperity everywhere. All members including children, grandparents, parents, relatives, look forward to this day, as they get to meet and greet their loved and dear ones, especially in this era of growing nuclear families and their busy work life schedules.
Folk songs, feasts, dances, games, elephants, boats, flowers, etc are some of the highlights of this vibrant festival in Kerala.
According to the Gregorian calender, Onam falls in the month of August-September and in the beginning of the month of Chingam,the first month of Malayalam Calendar(Kollavarsham).
Why is Onam celebrated- Its Origin:
Years and years ago, Kerala was ruled by a mighty demon king, Mahabali. The entire state was filled with happiness and peace, during his reign and everyone respected him. This attracted the Gods who felt insecure of his growing popularity. They prayed to Lord Mahavishnu to get rid off Mahabali , and that wish was granted by Mahavishnu. He took the avatar of a dwarf Brahman – Vamana, and he asked grant of three feet of land to Mahabali. Mahabali granted land with pleasure to Vamanan. With first two steps , Vaamanan who grew up in size measured land and heaven and when he couldn’t find a place for his third step, Mahabali advised him to place it on his head. Impressed by Mahabali’s generosity Vamanan offered Mahabali the kingdom of Patala( underworld). He accepted that with pleasure, on one condition of allowing him to visit his beloved people once a year. Onam is the festival of welcoming the ancient ruler Mahabali. It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.
How Onam is Celebrated
Onam celebration continues up to ten days:
Atham- Day One: It is considered to be a holy and auspicious day by the Keralites.
Chithira-Day Two: At this day, people create a bigger Pookalam using a variety of beautiful flowers
Chodhi- Third Day: Size of the Pookalam further increases again with a new set of flowers
Visakam- Fourth Day: On this day, small activities on the markets and households can be witnessed.
Anizham-Fifth Day:Grand boat race called –‘Valamkalli, is the highlight of this day.
Thriketta-Sixth Day: Those staying away from their homes, start travelling back as the main day is arriving.
Moolam-Seventh Day:
Pooradam- Eighth Day: Devotees create clay idols in the shape of small pyramids on this day.
Uthradam- Nineth Day: Few people begin celebrating the festival on a larger, as it is a day prior to the Thirvonam-the main day.
Thiruvonam-Last Day: The entire state is in a celebration mood with different games, songs,Onasadya etc.
OnaSadhya
One of the major highlights of Onam, is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. Served on banana leaves, it is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes Onam also means new clothes for the whole family. Enormous parades of caparisoned elephants in the most traditional and authentic way happens this day. It’s also the season of many cultural and sport events and carnivals.
Vallamkalli
Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.
Music & Dance
Women also participate in the festival by indulging into cultural activities, such as making Pookalam. Women, perform graceful dances namely Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal for enhancing the celebration mood. Folk performances like Kathakali, Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.
Onam celebration normally ends by Thiruvonam. However, the two days following Thiruvonam are also celebrated as Third(Avvittom) and Fourth Onam(Chatyam). 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 ritual.
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