Onam 2024:
Firstly, India has a large diversification in the area of caste, creed, religion and culture. Onam is a tropical Hindu festival which is said to have been invented in the state of Kerala in India. The festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which falls in the days of August and September months as per the Gregorian calendar. It also marks the triumph of Vamana avatar of Vishnu, the mythical reign of the legendary Emperor Mahabali, and the epics of Kashyapa and Parashurama in Hindu mythology. Onam festival is an important traditional festival for those belonging to the Malayali community in the Kerala state of India and those residing in the other parts of the world.
Along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, Onam is a harvest festival celebrated with an abundance of events each year. It is one of the three main Hindu festivities. Boat races (Vallam Kali), tiger dances (Pulikali), flower rangoli (Pookkalam), worship (Onathappan), martial arts (Onathallu), music (Onavillu), plantain offerings (Kazhchakkula), costumes (Onapottan), folk songs and dance (Athachamayam), and other festivities are all part of the Onam celebrations.This is the Malayali Hindu New Year’s Day. Onam takes place in 2024, from September 6 to September 15.
Celebrations of Onam:
Based on Hindu mythology, people strongly believe that staying happy and enjoying the event in all its magnificence will help to welcome King Mahabali. As part of the festivities, families create lovely and fragrant “Pookalams” (flower art) in their front courtyards. They serve lunch with special treats, such as rice, salads, chocolates, and curries,so that the family enjoys together. Everyone enjoys a unique lunch platter called “Sadya,” a delectable combination of delicacies including sweet payasam, avial (a mix of vegetable curry), other curries, papadam, banana chips, pickles, salad, and buttermilk, to mention a few.
This Onam festival is enjoyed by all the classes of people including all types of castes and religions which is the most attractive and beautiful feature of the Onam festival. The ethnic integration of Hindus, Christians, and Muslims celebrations of the festivity is a perfect representation of unity. Since unity is the key to sustainable development, they claim that it presents a revolutionary approach toward attaining the SDGs on an international level. This also shows that the Onam festival is only one example of how this country is proud to demonstrate people’s unity and cooperation.
Story of Onam:
The legend surrounding Onam states that, on the day of Thiruvonam, Mahabali, the beloved and famous king of Kerala, pays a visit to his people after rising from the underworld. Mahabali, the grandson of Prahalad and the son of Virochan, was a follower of Lord Vishnu. He treated each of his followers equally and was a good and kind man. During his presidency, there was no poverty, no crime, and no cruelty. Mahabali’s people loved him, even though he was a demon king during the state’s richest period. The devas got upset as Mahabali’s fame increased daily. They pleaded with Lord Vishnu to help them stop Mahabali because they were afraid of losing control.That’s why Lord Vishnu visited Mahabali, who was performing a yagna for Lord Vishnu’s grace, in his Vamana Avatar, a Brahmin avatar. Mahabali asked the poor Brahmin youngster what he wanted. In response, the youngster said he required land that was reachable in three steps. The boy’s wish was granted by Mahabali. He started to get bigger, and by taking the first two steps, he covered the entire world. At that moment, Mahabali recognised that the child in front of him was none other than Lord Vishnu. The king bowed before the child and offered his head as the next step after realizing that there was no more land..
Lord Vishnu, pleased with the king’s devotion, sent Mahabali to Pathala in the afterlife, blessing him and granting him permission to return to his followers once a year.The location where this occurrence is thought to have happened, originally known as Trikalkkara, was eventually renamed Thrikkakara. Every year during the 10 days of Onam, the people of Kerala eagerly await their beloved ruler. The occurrence is said to have happened under the star sign of Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam. The story of Mahabali’s sacrifice, as told in the folk song “Maveli Nadu Vaneedum Kalam,” is linked to Onam.
Onam Rituals
Atham ( September 6, 2024)
The Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi hosts a beautiful procession known as Athachamayam to kick off the celebrations on the day of Atham. This day signifies the beginning of Mahabali’s visitation to his kingdom.Next, people lay the Pookalam, composed exclusively of yellow petals. The Pookalam on Atham, referred to as Athapoo, starts with only one layer and gradually adds more layers as each Onam day goes by. They place statues of Mahabali and Vamana in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of their homes.
Chithira (September 7, 2024)
People add two more layers of orange and creamy yellow flowers to the pookalam on the second day of Onam. On this day, people clean their homes and go to temples.
Chodhi (September 8, 2024)
Onakkodi, or the buying of new garments, occurs on the third day of Onam. Young girls wear Pattu Pavada, women dress up in Kasavi Sarees, and males buy Mundu. Families exchange jewelry and clothing gifts as well as go shopping together. The Pookalam also receives the addition of a third layer of blooms.
Vishakam (9 September 2024)
As the preparations for Onasadya begin, this day is regarded as the most auspicious one. The family’s female member gathers ingredients from the market. Kerala marketplaces are the busiest during this time of year because they often hold their harvest sale around this time. There are 26 to 30 dishes in several households. After all, the goal of Onasadya is to load the plantain leaf with meals until it is completely full.
Anizham (September 10, 2024)
The Vallamkali, or Snake Boat Races, are held on the Pamba River, and the Pookalam gets larger.
Thriketta, (September 11, 2024)
Families visit their ancestral houses, spend time there, exchange presents, and add fresh flowers to the pookalam.
Moolam, (12 September 2024)
On this day, most temples begin to provide Onasadya. Family members prepare a condensed Sadya. People perform the Pulikali and Kaikottukali in several locations in Kerala.The state begins to light up and bustle with festivities.
Pooradam, (September 13, 2024)
The day begins with the installation of clay statues of Mahabali and Vamana, known as Onathappam, in the heart of Pookalam. Since these are statues of Mahabali, building them is a symbolic invitation for Mahabali to stop by each home. The Pookalam is now much larger and more intricate.
Uthradam/First Onam (14 September 2024)
People regard this day as the First Onam since it is Onam’s eve. They consider it the most auspicious day for buying fresh fruits and vegetables. Locals believe that Mahabali arrives in Kerala on this day. As a result, folks clean their homes and complete their Onam shopping.
Onam Thiruvonam (September 15, 2024)
The main day of the Onam celebration is when people apply rice flour batter to the entrances of their homes as a traditional welcome sign, take a shower, dress up in new clothes, and deliver alms to the homeless and needy. On this day, King Mahabali blesses every home in Kerala and makes visits to houses. Once the Pookalam is beautifully finished, families get together to feast on the Onasadya.
The essence of Onam is celebrating unity and prosperity, honoring traditions, and cherishing relationships, whether you celebrate it at home or in public.
