Onam

Held on 30th Aug - 8th Sep, 2022

Onam is the Harvest Festival of the state of Kerala. The Rice Harvest Festival is an Ancient one, which is still celebrated in Modern times. It is also one of the biggest and important festival in the South Indian state of Kerala. Not only this, Onam was declared as the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. It falls during the first month of Malayalee calendar which is Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The Festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. In some regions of the state, festivities are restricted to four to six days only. It is an Occasion which showcases the rich cultural heritage of Kerala in its best form and brings out the Festive Spirit of Keralites, both young and old. Keralites in other states of India and in Foreign countries also observe this day with great fervour. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to witness the colourful and musical festivities of Onam. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic Festival called Onam.

History

Onam Celebrations owe their existence to two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture.

Harvesting of Crops - As a Harvest Festival of the state, it reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam Malyalee Calendar i.e. the Gregorian months of August-September, were celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

Mahabali, the Demon King - Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlad (son of Hiranyakashipu who was slain by Vishnu in his Narasimha, Avataram (form). Prahlad, despite being an Asura, had great faith in Vishnu. Mahabali learned the love and devotion of Vishnu from Prahlad's lap as a child. According to Hindu Religion, Mahabali was a generous and kind hearted king of Kerala. He was powered by a Boon granted to him by Lord Brahma. As per the Boon he became invincible and gradually won over the entire earth. Soon, he also won the territory of heaven and became its king. He gradually rose up to become the undisputed ruler of all the three worlds.

Holy Denizens of heaven were subjected to violence and as a result they approached Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. Lord Vishnu then decided to overthrow Mahabali from his powers. At the same time, Mahabali was performing the sacrificial rite of the Viswajith Yagam (ritual) or Aswamedha Yagam on the banks of Narmada River. He also declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this Yagam. Taking advantage of the the Yagam and Mahabali's declaration, Lord Vishnu turned himself into a young Vamana (young brahmin). The Vamana then reached the spot where Mahabli was conducting the ritual. Upon his arrival, Mahabali received him with all traditional honours and gave him an eminent seat befitting the status of a holy person. With all the proper courtesy, Mahabali enquired to the Vamana of his wishes. Vamana  smiled and said if he could give him that extend of land which would cover his three footsteps.

Upon hearing this, Mahabali's teacher, the Brahmin Shukracharya (a Daitya priest), who had visions of the future, told Mahabali that the Vamana was not an ordinary one, rather it was Lord Vishnu himself. He advised Mahabli not to promise the young brahmin anything as he brahmin would deprive him of all his possessions. But Mahabli was a man of his word and considered it a sin to deny the Vamana his wish. Mahabali then proceeded to fulfil Vamana's wish. He asked Vamana to to measure the desired three steps of land. The 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, pushed him down to Patala, the underworld (the kingdom beneath the earth).

Lord Vishnu impressed by Mahabali granted him rule over the underworld. It was also granted that he would hold the position of Indra for one Manvantara, thus fulfilling his devotee's desire (the office of Indra being a rotating position, changing every Manvantara). As a last gift, Mahabali was granted permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites celebrate the Onam festival to commemorate the memory of the Great King Mahabali who would keep his promise to visit them. Mahabali fulfilled his name as the great martyr for the sake of Truth.

Events

The Ten Day before Onam are meant for observing certain rituals which the traditional people of Kerala dutifully follow them.

Ten Days of Festivities before Onam

1.  Atham - It is the first day of festivities in the ten-day-long Onam carnival. The day of Atham comes ten days before the asterism Onam or Thiru Onam hence Atham is regarded holy and auspicious by the traditional people of Kerala.

• To complete the rituals of Atham people take early bath and offer prayers in the local temple. There is also a set breakfast for Atham consisting of steamed bananas and fried pappadam (pappad). This breakfast remains the same till the tenth and the last day of Thiru Onam. A swing decked with flowers is also slung from a high branch and youngsters take great delight in swinging and singing Oonjal (swing) songs.

• Major highlight of Atham is that people start making Pookalam from this day. Pookalam, also called Athapoo, is an intricate floral mat laid in the front courtyard by maidens of the house. This is done to welcome the holy spirit of legendary King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. In subsequent days more flowers and new designs are added to this Pookalam. Selection of flower is also an important matter as a particular flower is selected for each day for a specific deity. Great deal of thought and creativity is employed in the making of Pookalam as girls vie with each other for the best design.

• A grand procession called Athachamyam is also carried on the day of Atham to mark the beginning of the grand carnival of Onam. The procession is carried out to commemorate the royal custom of the erstwhile state of Kochi when it was customary for the King to travel with his entire entourage to the Thripunithura Fort. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event. The procession of Athachamyam is of marked importance at Thripunithura, Kochi.

2.  Chithira - It is the second day of Onam celebrations. On this day people offer their prayers to evoke divine blessings. This day is special for girls as they get to add new flowers to Pookalam which they started on the day of Atham. This responsibility brings out the best of their creativity as they have to utilise an innovative design. The Boys of the house arrange flowers for the girls. After all everybody wishes to invite Lord Maveli in their own house by making the best Pookalam in the neighbourhood.

3.  Chothi - Also known as Chodi, this is the third day of Onam festivities. This day is reserved for shopping. The market place is abuzz with frenzied shopping as buys new clothes and accompanying accessories for the grand festival of Onam. Gifts are also procured for everyone in the house including the servants. Some shopping is also done for closed relatives.

4.  Vishagam - Also known as Visakam, it is the fourth day of the Onam festivities. This day is meant for cooking. Women make prior preparations for preparing the elaborate feast of Onasadya to be served on Thiruvonam. They also start making various types of pickles and pappadams (papad) besides various other things.

5.  Anizham - The fifth day of Onam celebrations is one of the most popular. The reason behind is the the grand Snake Boat Race event called 'Vallamkali'. The hugely popular competition happens on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmulla. A large number of long snake like boats called Chundan Vallams participate in Vallamkali. Each picturesquely decorated boat is oared by hundreds of oarsmen dressed in the traditional dhoti and turban. Boats are oared on the rhythm of 'Vanchipattu' or Boat songs.

6.  Triketta - Also known as Thriketa, it is the sixth day of Onam celebrations. It is a day which marks the time for home coming for people staying away from their families for various reasons; it is the time for family get together. Cultural programmes and social gatherings are also organised by various cultural societies all over the state. People of all religions caste and creed participate in these events.

7.  Moolam - The seventh day of the festival of Onam festivities wears a spirit of joy and happiness all over the state. There is a sense of anticipation of the day to arrive amongst the populace. Pookalam is made in a new design with kondattam (gaiety) on this day with the most beautiful flowers.

8.  Pooradam - The eighth day of the ten-day-long festivities of Onam holds a special significance. It is because on this day, devotees create clay idols in the shape of small pyramids called a Ma. As the idol is created on the day of Pooradam, it is also called Poorada Uttigal. Each Ma is decorated with flowers. On Pooradam size of the Attha Poo gets further increased due to an addition of design with a different flower. Massive house cleaning operation starts, as people ensure that everything looks neat and tidy when the Onathappan arrives. People also visit friends and relatives and exchange warm greetings of the festive occasion.

9.  Utradam - Also known as Uthradam, it is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. On the day of Utradam tenants and dependants of Nayar Tarawads (traditional large joint families sharing a common kitchen) bring produce of their farms or the product of their toil to the Karanavar (eldest member of the Tarawad). These gifts from the tenants to the Karanavar are called Onakazhcha. Karanavar greets these people warmly and treats them with a sumptuous meal on Thiru Onam. Village artisans also bring their handicrafts to the Karanavar and are graciously rewarded. Some people also call Utradam as the first Onam and the next day Thiru Onam as the second Onam. In some regions of Kerala festivities of Onam starts in a full fledged way from Utradam itself. It is a public holiday on that day.

10.  Thiruvonam Aashamsakal - The Final day arrives and whole state of Kerala reverberates with the chants of Onaashmsakal, "To everyone, Onam Wishes" as people exchange warm greetings of the occasion on the tenth and the most important day of the carnival of Onam. People believe that it is on Thiru Onam that the spirit of legendary King Mahabali visits the state of Kerala.

• Activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and participate in special prayers organised in individual homes and then in local temples. Later a very special and the biggest of all days Pookalam is prepared to welcome Maveli. Clay mounds in the shape of pyramids representing Lord Vishnu and Mahabali are prepared and placed in front of the Pookalam.

• In the noon the grand feast of Onam called Onasadya is prepared. The strictly vegetarian meal consists of 11 - 13 mandatory dishes and is served on a banana leaf. The eldest member of the family presents gifts and new clothes to the family members.

• Various cultural events are organised all over the state to mark the day. Dances, games, shows and get together are the other highlights of the day. Patassu (fire crackers) are also burnt to celebrate the occasion.

• There are some rituals also marked for the eleventh and twelfth day called Avittom and Chatayam or Chathayam respectively. But the major celebrations get over on the tenth and the most important day of Thiruvonam.

Social Festivities - There are a lot of activities that takes place all over the state on Onam. Pulikali performers paint themselves in the guise of a tiger and enact hunting scenes to entertain people. Kummattikali artists don an attire of plaited grass and big wooden mask. They move from house to house collecting small gifts and amusing children.

• At Cheruthuruthy, Kathakali artists thrill the audience with the magic of their performance. Women perform their graceful traditional clap dance, Kaikotikalli on the day and enthral the audience.

• Number of sports and games events are also organised on the day. These are collectively called Onakalikal. Some of them are rigorous sports like Talappanthukali, Kutukutu and combats like Kayyankali and Attakalam. Archery is also a part of Onakalikal. Senior members have their share of fun by playing indoor games like cards and chess.

Holiday Status - It is a Regional Holiday.