Onam is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by the people of Kerala. It is one of the most significant and popular festivals for Malayalam speaking Indians as well as diaspora.
Onam festivities span for almost twelve days. The main Onam day is known as Thiruvonam day and it is observed when Nakshatra Thiruvonam prevails during Madhyahna part of the day as per Hindu division of the day. Onam preparations and rituals start about ten days ahead of Thiruvonam day when Nakshatra Atham prevails during Madhyahna part of the day. The first day of Onam is popularly known as Atthachamayam day.
Post Thiruvonam day, Onam festivities continue another two days which makes Onam twelve days long event in Kerala. Onam is also the state holiday and four days holiday is declared throughout Kerala to observe Onam. The holidays begin one day before and end after two days of main Thiruvonam day. The four holidays are known as first Onam, second Onam, third Onam and fourth Onam. Hence the second Onam is the most significant day of four days holidays.
God’s own country – Kerala – is thrilled and excited to celebrate the age-old culture of Onam, the most important festival of this south Indian state.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 is celebrated in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar which is equivalent to the Hindu solar calendar followed by people in other parts of India. The festival is spread over 10 days and culminates with Thiruvonam, the most important day.
This year, Thiruvonam is on September 14, 2016.
In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Kummati kali, Onathallu, Ona villu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival. Atham, Chitira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Utthradom and finally Thiruvonam together make Onam an elaborate ceremony.
Onam celebrates the annual homecoming of King Mahabali from Patala Loka, where he was sent by Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar.It is believed that King Mahabali, the most benevolent Raja of Kerala visits his kingdom to see his subjects happy and prosperous on the occasion of the auspicious harvest festival.
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 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. Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:
''Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum.
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla
Dushtare kankondu kanmanilla
Nallavarallathe illa paaril..illa paaril
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallampparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
Vellikolaadikal naazhikalum
Ellam kanakkinu thulyamaayi..thulyamaayi''
English version
''When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal-
Times when people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
No wicked person was in sight anywhere
All the people on the land were good.
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no false words or promises.
Measures and weights were right;
There were no lies,
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race''
Women participate in Pookolam (rangoli made of flowers) and perform Kaikottikali, a dance form. Dressed in their best fineries, women looks resplendent in off-white set sari with golden border, teamed up with gold jewellery. The man look dapper in white Veshti (dhoti) and shirt.
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