Onam (Bhadraba puja.6.1)

https://youtu.be/-tDNgiazDeI

Onam 2019 Date, history, significance and celebrations of the Kerala harvest festival

Onam 1st sept to 13th sept on 2019

Ladies dancing during Onam festivities

Onam Timings

There are four main days of Onam. While First Onam or Uthraadam, which is considered as Onam eve and is believed to be the return of King Mahabali to Kerala, will be celebrated on September 10, the most important day of Onam (known as Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, meaning ‘Sacred Onam Day’) is the second day which will be celebrated on September 11. It is believed that King Mahabali pays a visit to people’s homes on Thiruvonam. On the Third Onam or Avittam, preparations are undertaken for King Mahabali’s departure. This year, it will be observed on September 12. The last day, Chathayam on September 13, would be observed as Sri Narayana Guru Jayanthi and post-Onam celebrations continue for the next couple of days with snake boat races, Pulikkali tiger play, and Kerala Tourism’s Onam Week program.

Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala. Onam is Malayali festival which is celebrated by native speakers of Malayalam. Onam day is decided based on Solar Calendar. Onam is celebrated in Chingam month on Malayalam Solar Calendar. Chingam month is known as Simha month in other solar calendars and Avani month in Tamil Calendar. The day when Nakshatra Thiruvonam prevails in month of Chingam is considered for Onam celebrations. Thiruvonam Nakshatra is known as Shravana in other Hindu Calendars.

The festival commemorates the appearance of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent home coming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. Onam celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). On Thiruvonam day, Asura King Mahabali is believed to visit every Malayali home and meet his people.

The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day (the day when Atham Nakshatra prevails) and continue for 10 days till Thiruvonam day. Atham Nakshatra is known as Hasta Nakshatra in other Hindu Calendars.

THE $TH ONUM IS ON 27th augut.

Onam is celebrated with much fanfare not only in Kerala but by Malayalis across the world. The 10-day festival concludes with Thiruvonam, which - according to folklore - is said to be the day when the beloved demon king Mahabali visits earth. From a nine-course feast called Onasadya to festivities called Onakalikal, Onam is the most important annual festival for Malayalis.


Onam is the biggest festival for Malayalis, and is celebrated with much fanfare all through Kerala. Observed during the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam solar calendar, Kollavarsham, it is celebrated over 10 days. The festival commences on the day known as Atham and culminates on the 10th day, known as Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, meaning “Sacred Onam Day”. This year the festivities will begin on Sept 1st and continue till sept 13th, a few customary celebrations continue for two more days with snake boat races, Pulikkali tiger play and other cultural events.

Interestingly, Onam is celebrated to welcome and honour a demon king. According to popular legend, it is said that on Thiruvonam, the spirit of the demon (asura) King Mahabali visits Kerala and the festival is a preparation to welcome him. Despite being a demon, Mahabali was known to be generous and kind, and his reign is regarded as the golden era in Kerala, which is why his ‘return’ is so widely celebrated.

Legend behind the festival

According to Vaishnava mythology, it is said that Mahabali came to power by defeating the gods and taking over the three worlds. Gods were unhappy by his popularity and asked for Lord Vishnu’s help in a battle against the demon king. Vishnu agreed to help but did not want to participate in a battle as Mahabali was his ardent devotee. Instead, to help other gods, he took the form of a poor dwarf Brahmin (his Vamana avatar from the Dasavatara) and visited Mahabali, asking the king to grant him three wishes. Arguing that one must not ask more than what one needs, the Brahmin requested the property right over a piece of land that measures “three paces”, to which Mahabali agreed little knowing that he was dealing with a god.

A view of the ‘Atham’ procession taken out at Thrippunithura in Kochi on Friday. Atham marks the beginning of Onam festival in Kerala.

Soon, the dwarf grew in size and with covered everything Mahabali ruled over in just two steps. For the third step, Mahabali offered his head, which Vishnu agreed to and placed his foot over the king’s head, thus, casting him into the nether world. But impressed by Mahabali’s devotion and good deeds, Vishnu allowed him to return to earth once a year — it is this annual visit that is celebrated with much fanfare as Onam.

To welcome the ‘golden ruler’, people make ‘flower mats’ known as Pookalam (like a flower rangoli) in their courtyards, and also prepare a grand meal called the Onasadya. Celebrations also include traditional dance, music and games that are collectively called Onakalikal. All this is done to show King Mahabali that his people are prosperous and happy.

A nine-course meal called the Onasadya is served on Onam. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

One of the main attractions of the festival is the grand feast known as Onasadya, which is a nine-course meal consisting of 10-13 dishes, including rice, sambar, avial, rasam, payasam (sweet dish). It is served on Thiruonam — the day of the main festivities.

At the Thrikkakara temple in Kochi, dedicated to the Vamana, the celebration begins with a flag hoisting and then continues with dances and performances. The idol of Lord Vamana is dressed and decorated, and then taken on a procession.

Pulikkali is the ‘play of the tigers’ and the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting is a big attraction of the Onam

Onam timings and rituals

People begin the day with an early bath, followed by prayers, and then go on to create Pookalams. New clothes are worn, and families gather to enjoy an elaborate vegetarian feast.

According to Drikpanchang.com, Thiruvonam – which is the last and most important day of Onam celebrations – 

• Onam celebration spans over 10 days with numerous festivities. It is observed by most Hindus in its pure traditional form. The first ten days of Onam are the most important which begins with Atham.

  Atham (1 September 2019)

  On the day of Atham, festivities begin at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi, where a grand procession is held called as Athachamayam. The day marks the preparations of the visit of Mahabali to his Kingdom. This is followed by the laying of Pookalam which is made of only yellow petals. The Pookalam on Atham is known as Athapoo which is made of only one layer that gets added on progressively as each day of Onam passes. Statues of Mahabali and Vamana are placed on the courtyards that are dung-plastered in front of the house.
  

  Chithira (2 September 2019)

  On the second day of Onam, two more layers of orange and creamy yellow flowers are added to the Pookalam. People clean their houses and visit temples on this day.

   3rd sept,2019
  

  The third day of Onam is when people buy new clothes otherwise called as Onakkodi. Women dress up in Kasavi Saree, and men purchase mundu while young girls wear Pattu Pavada. Families go shopping as well as gift each other jewels and clothes. The third layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam as well.
  

  Vishakam (4 September 2019)

  This day is considered as the most auspicious as the Onasadya preparations commence. The woman in the family stock up ingredients from the market. Usually, markets hold their harvest sale during this period making Kerala markets the busiest place. The dishes go up to 26 - 30 in different families. After all, Onasadya is all about filling the plantain leaf with dishes until there's no space left.
  

  Anizham (5 September 2019)

  The Vallamkali or Snake boat races flag-off on the Pamba River and the Pookalam grow bigger.
  

   Thriketa (6 September, 2019)

  Fresh flowers are added to the Pookalam and families visit their ancestral homes and spend some time, exchange gifts etc.
  

  Moolam (7 September 2019)

  Most temples start offering Onasadya on this day. Families prepare a shorter version of the Sadya. The Pulikali and Kaikottukali are performed at various places in Kerala. The state starts getting colourful and busy with celebrations.
  

  Pooradam (8 September 2019)

  The day begins with the ritual of installing clay statues of Mahabali and Vamana commonly called Onathappam in the centre of Pookalam. They are the representation of Mahabali, and fixing these statues symbolises an invitation to Mahabali to visit each house. By now the Pookalam is much bigger and complex.
  

  Uthradam (9 September 2019)

  This is considered as the Onam even when the preparations reach its zenith. The devotees fully prepare themselves to welcome King Mahabali the next day.

  Uthradam/First Onam (10 September, 2019)

  This day is the eve of Onam and considered as the First Onam. It is the most auspicious day to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. According to traditional beliefs, Mahabali arrives in Kerala on this day. Hence, people clean their houses and do their final Onam shopping.
  

  Thiruvonam Onam 2019 (11 September 2019)

  The main day of Onam festival when people apply rice flour batter on the entrance of their houses as a traditional welcome sign, take a shower and dress up in new clothes and also distribute alms to the poor and needy. This is the day King Mahabali visits each home and blesses every family in Kerala. The Pookalam is completed perfectly, and the families gather to feast on the Onasadya.

   Although Thiruvonam is the main occasion, the following days - Avittom (third onam) and Chatayam (fourth onam) are also considered as days of Onam. Preparations for Mahabali's departure are undertaken, and the Pookalam is cleared. The clay statues of Onathappan is immersed in the river or the sea. Some parts of Kerala still organise the Vallamkali and the Pulikali.