The most popular festival of joy and unity in Kerala is called Onam.
The most well-known and joyfully observed festival in Kerala, Onam, occupies a special place as a representation of King Mahabali’s yearly return and a celebration of Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar. This ten-day event, which marks a significant occasion with extraordinary beauty, instills a spirit of enthusiastic joy in Keralans.
Onam 2023 takes place on Tuesday, August 29.
Onam 2023 is tomorrow.
The first Onam is on Monday, August 28. The festival’s pivotal day, Thiruvonam, is observed on Tuesday, August 29. Onam 2023’s third and fourth days, Avittam and Chathayam, fall on Wednesday, August 30, and Thursday, August 31, respectively.
What Day of the Week is Onam?
In the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, Onam is observed on the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatram (Shravana Nakshatra).
The Atham (Hasta) Nakshatram marks the start of the celebration, which is known as the “atham 10 onam” and the Thiruvonam (Shravana) Nakshatram, which is considered to be the most important day of the festival, marks its end. a 10-day festival.
Onam often occurs in late August or early September according to the English calendar.
Onam’s Spiritual Importance
Legends claim that King Mahabali was Kerala’s greatest king, and the people living there experienced a time of abundance and prosperity under his leadership. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, and tricked Mahabali into giving away all the land he owned in order to end his reign on Earth. Mahabali was exiled to the underworld, but Vishnu gave him the gift of a yearly return, with Onam serving as the occasion.
Observance of Onam 2023
Onam is a ten-day celebration in Kerala commemorating the rice harvest. These days all have different meanings.
Distinctive floral designs known as ‘Pookalam’ are created using various flower petals in front of homes to invite King Mahabali. Women of the household light lamps and make these patterns. New clothes, known as ‘Onakkodi,’ are worn and gifted during this time.
The festival is marked by grand feasts known as ‘Onam Sadhya.’ Around 13 dishes are prepared for this occasion, with various dishes, pickles, and papads served with rice on banana leaves. A special dessert called ‘Payasam’ is also prepared during Onam, made from rice, milk, sugar, and coconut.
The ‘Vallamkali’ or snake boat race, particularly the race of snake boats, is a prominent event connected to Onam and a spectacular sight in Kerala at this time of year. Huge, snake-like boats that are rowed by a large number of rowers compete against one another. Large sums of cash are given out as awards to the victors.
The Onam celebrations also feature elephant procession displays that are decked with decorations.
Households erect sculptures of Vamana (Onathappan) or Vishnu in the dwarf form for worship.
The celebration is symbolized by a variety of cultural practices, such as traditional folk dances, music, arts, and cuisines.
Onam is a festive time when performers execute a unique dance known as “Pulikali” while decked out as tigers in yellow and black. Being the ideal time to visit the state, Kerala advertises this time of year as a tourism week.
Meaning of Onam Because it unites followers of all major religions in the state, Onam has special significance. It propagates a message of societal harmony and peace.
| YEAR | DATE |
| 2021 | Saturday, August 21 |
| 2022 | Thursday, September 8 |
| 2023 | Tuesday, August 29 |
| 2024 | Sunday, September 15 |
| 2025 | Friday, September 5 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, August 26 |
| 2027 | Sunday, September 12 |
| 2028 | Friday, September 1 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 22 |
| 2030 | Monday, September 9 |
History of Onam
Onam is a 10-day Hindu festival that honors the legend of King Mahabali. Mahabali was a monster, but people admired him for his kindness and charity. He sought Lord Vishnu for help since the gods were envious of him because of his fame. Given that Mahabali was a devoted follower of Vishnu, he complied and assisted the gods without engaging Mahabali in combat.
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Lord Vishnu visited Mahabali’s realm as the short Brahmin Vamana and made a request for three paces of land. Vamana’s wish was granted by Mahabali, who caused the third pace to blanket the entire planet and cast Mahabali into the underworld.
Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and Thiruvonam are the names of the ten days of Onam. The most significant day of the festival is Thiruvonam.
The festival is marked by a number of major activities. Creating eye-catching flower designs in front of houses is known as “pookalam.” The term “Onakalikal” refers to all of the competitive sports that take place throughout the festival, such as “Thalappanthukali,” “Ambeyyal,” and “Vallamkali,” in which 100 boatmen compete against one another.
One of the festival’s biggest draws is the participation of women in traditional folk dances. The highlight of the festival is the elephant procession, in which elephants are lavishly decorated and parade alongside people.