What is Onam

Onam is the most important festival in the South Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the 

Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. Onam lasts from four to ten days. The first day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Onam is called the national festival of Kerala

The story tells that during the period of King Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects. But Mahabali was sent to another world by Vamana an incarnation of Lord Vishnu because of gods envy on his popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted his wish to visit his land once in a year. The day which Mahabali visited Kerala is celebrated as Onam. Onam 2019 is on September 11.

Legends of Onam

The story tells that during the period of king Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects. But Mahabali was sent to another world by Vamana an incarnation of Lord Vishnu because of gods envy on his popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted his wish to visit his land once in a year. The day which Mahabali visited Kerala is celebrated as Onam.

Customs of Onams

Besides the various rituals that are meant to be completed in individual households, there are a lot of customary activities that are organized at the level of society and city all over the state. 

Athachamayam

Athachamyam is a grand procession that marks the beginning of the grand carnival of Onam.

Snake Boat Race

The most enthralling and popular of all such customary events is the Vallamkali or the Snake Boat Race.

Aranmula Uthrittathi

- This is another magnificent boat event organised in connection with Onam

Procession of Decked Elephants

Trichur, the cultural capital of Kerala, marks the festival in its own beautiful style. Here, a procession of decorated elephants in carried out on the streets

Pulikali/Kaduvakali Performance

This is the most entertaining custom of Onam. In these performers take the guise of a tiger.

Kummattikali

This is folk dance from the state of Kerala.

Athapoovu Competitions

Competitions for decorating Pookalams are organised all over the state.

Kaikotti kali / Thiruvathirakali

In Kaikottikali women sing songs praising the legendary King Mahabali and dance around the pookalam.

Thumbi Thullal

Women also perform Thumbi Thullal as a custom in Onam.

Onam Calender

The festival of Onam is celebrated on the full moon day in the holy month of Shravan. So
Onam is termed as Sravanotsavam or Sravanmahotsav. In 2019, Thiru Onam is on September 2, Monday. Celebrations start 10 days before Thiru Onam, on Atham.

• Atham (September 2, 2019)
• Chithira (September 3, 2019)
• Vishakham (September 4, 2019)
• Anizham (September 5, 2019)
• Thriketa (September 6, 2019)
• Moolam (September 7-8, 2019)
• Pooradam (September 9, 2019)
• First Onam/Uthradom (September 10, 2019)
• Second Onam/Thiruvonam (September 11, 2019)
• Third Onam/Avvittom (September 12, 2019)
• Fourth Onam/Chatayam (September 13, 2019)

Onam Celebrations

Making of a Pookalam

Athapoovu is circular shaped and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves normally laid on the front courtyard of the house. Making pookalam is starts on ‘Atham’ which is the first day of the ten-day celebrations. It continues till ‘thiruvonam’ the last and important day. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora).


Tiruvonam

The tenth and the most important day of Onam celebrations is known as Thiru Onam or the Tiru Onam. People believe that s on this tenth-day King Mahabali comes to visit his people. 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 major celebrations get over on the tenth and the most important day Tiruvonam.

Sravanmahotsav

The festival of Onam is celebrated on the full moon day in the holy month of Shravan. So
Onam is termed as Sravanotsavam or Sravanmahotsav.

Onakkalikal

Talappanthukali- The most popular outdoor game is Pantukali in which the ball is prepared by tying a few pebbles in the layers of dried-up plantain leaves with the help of a plantain or coconut fiber.
Kayyankali-In this game participants fight to each other and is a dangerous game Attakalam-Attakalam is also a game of physical strength. Ambeyyal-Ambeyyal is actually the game of ‘archery’. Kutukutu – It is a type of kabaddi

Onam Sadhya

Onasadhya or onamsadya (The Meals) is the most favourite and delicious part of the Onam festival. It is considered the most elaborate and grand meal prepared for any festival in the world. It is served in Banana leafs. There is a way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes.

The picture given shows the serving order beginning from the left with 'Upperies' Rice is the main course. With rice, various kinds of dishes are served... curries, 'upperies' (things fried in oil), 'pappadams' (round crisp flour paste cakes of peculiar make), 'achchars' (pickles of various kinds), 'payasams' and 'prathamans' (Desserts). Fruits are also served, mainly plantain. Erissery

About Onam

Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala, India. The festival of Onam, celebrated by the commemorates Mahabali’s yearly homecoming after being sent down to the underworld Sutala by Vamana, a dwarf and the fifth incarnation avatar of Vishnu. Onam Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala (a southern coastal state of India). This is a Hindu festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Kerala for a period of ten days. Every year this festival falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam – between August and September and also known as the harvest festival of Kerala. Onam-celebration Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals which is still celebrated with great devotion. Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled Kerala in ancient times. That period was believed to be the golden age of Karala, people were happy, free from harm and complete harmony and prosperity were there. This golden age ended when Vamana (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) pushed King Mahabali, deep into the earth. Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty and generosity, the Lord granted him a wish that he can visit his kingdom and dear subjects once in a year. Indian festivals don't get much better than the Onam festival. Join Onam festival tour and enjoy a wonderful Kerala tour. Vallamkali, boat race Kerala Onam festival is celebrated for ten days – Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration. People wear new clothes, decorate their houses and put flower carpet called ‘Pookalam’ in front of their houses, to welcome King Mahabali. Special pujas are offered in the temples in the early morning and younger members take blessings and gifts from the elder members of the family. During Onam traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast with twenty-one homemade curries and sweet payasam on a plantain leaf. Spectacular Carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat races, music and the famous Kathakali dance are traditionally associated with this festival. The state government of Kerala conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing Kerala’s beauty and culture.