Onam, the grand harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, India, is a time of immense joy, cultural richness, and community unity. This festival, steeped in tradition and mythology, marks a period of great significance and celebration, promising a vibrant and exciting experience for all who partake. The sheer joy and excitement that fill the air during Onam are genuinely infectious, making it a festival that will leave you eagerly anticipating its arrival each year.
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Onam is celebrated according to the Malayalam calendar in Chingam, which corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed over ten days, each day holding its unique significance and rituals. The ten days are a time for spiritual reflection, cultural activities, and community bonding. The primary day of festivities, Thiruvonam, between late August and early September, is the most important, marking the festival's climax. The exact date varies each year based on lunar cycles, but it usually aligns with the harvest season in Kerala.
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Of all the harvest festivals in Kerala, Onam stands out with its deep-rooted mythological and legendary connection. It is celebrated to signify the return of King Mahabali himself, the great Asura king whose reign was that of gold, charity, justice, and equality in the kingdom of Kerala. Onam's historical and mythological significance is genuinely awe-inspiring, adding a layer of wonder to this vibrant festival and leaving you intrigued to learn more about its rich history.
When lord gods became jealous of Mahabali's fame, strength, and arrogance, they made Lord Vishnu incarnate as Vamana, a Brahman with dwarfism. To Mahabali's shock, Vamana asked for only three paces of land and was allowed to choose one wish. After that, he evolved in another step to take all three regions of the world and finally expelled Mahabali to the underworld. Nevertheless, due to his affection for the inhabitants, Mahabali was allowed to visit his people once a year, and the people mentioned celebrating Onam in his honor.
King Mahabali is believed to be the founder and king of the new world, which is the belief that holds strong in the minds of the people.
The beauty of Onam hinges on a mythical story that narrated the story of King Mahabali, who is depicted as a tyrannical ruler with a beautiful heart, hence the name Hannanthan, a word derived from 'Hannu' meaning 'Heart' and 'Nathan' meaning 'town' in Malayalam. Lord Vishnu in the Vamana avatar was motivated by Bali's pure and honest actions, but the god still managed to get the king deceived into relinquishing his throne. But touched by the king's loyalty, Vishnu allowed the king one visit with his people every year. It is traditionally performed at the onset of every Hacker Season to welcome King Mahabali to his kingdom.
Onam is a harvest celebration that not only celebrates the win of good over evil and the homecoming of a much-loved king but also the unity of people with other people, and the enriching diverse culture that the occasion brings. This celebration has infixed in the people a sense of belonging to a much larger family, a brotherhood of sorts all coming together to celebrate the occasion. It's a beautiful testament to the cultural diversity and unity that Onam embodies, making everyone feel a part of this inclusive and diverse celebration.
It also marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the agricultural harvest, thus symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Onam celebrates families' association with their ancestors, following traditions, and rejoicing over the boon nature provided at the end of the rains.
The celebrations of Onam are vibrant and diverse, featuring a range of traditional and cultural activities:
- Pookalam (Flower Rangoli)
Pookalam or flower rangoli is part of the celebrations during Onam. Intricate designs are made at the entrance of every house and in public places, using colorful flower petals. These beautiful patterns depict prosperity and mark an invitation to Mahabali during the festivities. - Onasadya (Grand Feast)
Onasadya forms an essential part of the Onam festival. It is served on a banana leaf and includes many traditional dishes like avail, thoran, and payasam. This grand meal not only celebrates the abundance of the harvest season but also explicitly talks of unity and equality. The meal is a symbol of the shared prosperity and the spirit of togetherness that Onam fosters. Shared by all the diners, the serving of this feast on a banana leaf carries along a sense of community and togetherness, making Onasadya more than just a meal but a communal dining experience. - Onam Vallamkali (Boat Races)
The Vallamkali, or boat races, have been the most exciting event of this festival—the thrilling snake boats, decorated with lively colors, race through the backwaters of Kerala. The race is a spectacle of team skill and work and a truthful celebration of Kerala's maritime heritage. - Pulikali (Tiger Dance)
One such diverse and colorful custom enacted as part of Onam is the Pulikali or the Tiger Dance. The participants painted their bodies with tiger stripes, wore masks to resemble tigers, and danced to traditional music. This energetic performance is not just a form of entertainment, but it also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, a central theme of the Onam festival. The visually striking features of the dance add to the festive spirit, making it a unique and integral part of Onam celebrations. - Thiruvathira Dance
Thiruvathira is a traditional dance performed by women during Onam. In their traditional Kerala dresses, they are the backbone of the festival for many cultural events as performers, organizers, and participants. Performed in a circle to rhythmic music, this Thiruvathira dance is rejoicing in the festive atmosphere and presents the cultural dances of Kerala. - Cultural Fairs and Programs
Many cultural programs and fairs, like art exhibitions, are part of Onam. These include traditional music and dance forms. They showcase Kerala's affluent artistic heritage and amuse viewers. - Exchange of Gifts
Exchanging gifts among family and friends is a common practice during Onam.
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The ten-day-long festival has its specialty. They are as follows:
- Atham
This day signifies King Mahabali's journey toward Earth. Every household has yellow floral decorations called pookalam. People also house statues of King Mahabali and Vamana in their homes. - Chithira
This day is devoted to tidying the houses and preparing them to welcome King Mahabali. Another layer of yellow flowers is added to the pookalem. - Chodi
On this day, yet another layer of yellow flowers is added to the pookkalem, which continues till the end of the festival. People like to indulge themselves in shopping and buying gifts. - Vishakam
This day kickstarts the buzzing activities of the festival in Kerala. - Anizham
On this day, the Vallamkali boat race commences in different parts of the state. - Thriketa
This day marks the beginning of the major celebrations of the festival. Schools and offices get closed till the end of Onam. - Moolam
On this day, many dance-related events are organized. The decorations peak, and every house in the street look aesthetic. - Pooradam
On this day, the sculptures of King Mahabali and Lord Vamana are carefully washed and placed in the center of the pookalam. - Uthradom
Today, people purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the market and prepare delicious traditional meals. It is believed that King Mahabali arrives - Thiruonam
Today, people wake up early to bathe, distribute gifts, and offer prayers in temples. Many competitions and activities take place in different regions of Kerala. Additionally, the women cook Onam food for the household.
Onam has no restriction on people's religious or social status; anyone from anywhere can join the celebration. It depicts the metaphysical outlook of the state of Kerala, where unity preserves diversity. To sum up, the ideologies aimed at people by the frame of the festival are concentrated on the notion of belonging to happy people.
Onam is very colorful and grandiosely celebrated in the present generation. While performing, they retain the traditional characteristics while blending them with factors like public events, community functions, and digital celebrations, where such events are feasible. In this way, Onam's development remains meaningful, and, therefore, people's inclusion is also ensured. The design makes people feel associated with its ancient history while retaining the principles of unity, economic development, and diversity.
Onam is not simply a festival but is assimilated as a symbolic identity and identified as the Keralites' essence. It is an excellent time to be cocooned in the richness of the state's tradition.
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The energy brimming during this period is unlike any other, and it is plausible given the preparation of various activities and the main event of Thiruvonam.
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