Onam 2024: When is Onam? Date, History,Significance, Celebrations, and all You Need to Know About the Harvest Festival

Onam derives its name from the Sanskrit word “Shravanam,” which refers to one of the 27 constellations in Hindu astrology. It is also linked with the legend of King Mahabali, who is believed to have visited Kerala during the festival of Onam. Kerala is situated on the western coast of India. The people of Kerala primarily celebrate this Hindu festival. Although it is a part of the Hindu culture, people from all religions and backgrounds participate in the festival to celebrate Kerala’s cultural heritage and traditions. Onam is regarded as a harvest festival that marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which usually falls between August and September according to the Gregorian calendar. Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam is one of the most important days in the ten-day festival and falls on the second day. India hosts diverse cultures and heritage that usher people together and ease worldly divisions. State festivals like Onam tend to bring harmony among the people. Onam festival is unique to the culture of Kerala and can only be experienced in India.

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Onam History and Significance

The history of Onam dates back to a mythology that is credited to the visit of a King with demon origins. Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali or Maveli (in Malayalam), a fabled ruler of Kerala. He was believed to be generous and deeply cherished by his people. He is rumoured to have defeated the Gods ruling over the earth, heaven, and the nether world. During his reign, the kingdom of Kerala was believed to be prosperous and filled with cheer. However, the gods were displeased and sent Lord Vishnu to aid them. Lord Vishnu descended to the earth as Vamana, his fifth avatar, and supposedly tricked King Mahabali into giving up his possessions, but his good heart earned him a boon to visit his Kingdom once a year. Onam commemorates his rule and his visit to the subjects.

Moreover, it is harvest season, and people show gratitude by offering prayers for the abundance of nature and produce. This festival indicates the beginning of the Malayalam year, called Kollavarsham. Each day of the festival is considered to be significant. The first day of Onam is called Atham, in succession to Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and Thiruvonam. The most anticipated day of the festival is the second day of Onam, which is reckoned to be auspicious and hugely awaited.

During the Onam celebration, people wear traditional clothing, prepare special meals and gather a good harvest and participate in various cultural activities such as snake boat races which are the major attraction of the festival, singing devotional songs, swinging ceremonies where a swing is slung on a high branch of a tree, Kummatti dance performed on the road of Thrissur along with other sports events.

Onam Date

Onam 2024 will begin on September 5, Thursday and ends on September 17. To celebrate the homecoming of the demon King Mahabali, people decorate their houses with flowers. Exquisite floral carpets or onam pookalam are symbolic of this rice harvest festival. The woman of the house made different patterns on the eastern side of the floor with flowers and lit lamps to greet King Mahabali in their residence. People also exchange gifts and don new clothes known as ‘Onakkodi.’

The festival brings onam images of women in white sarees dancing or arranging flowers to make a pattern on the ground. Temples are flooded with crowds of people stepping in and out throughout the festival. This festival breathes life into the legend of King Mahabali as he is forever immortalised and treasured in the festival.

Each day of the ten-day-long festival has its speciality. They are as follows:

Atham

This day signifies the journey of King Mahabali toward Earth. Floral decoration with yellow flowers called pookalam can be seen in every household. 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 organised. The decorations reach their peak as every house in the street looks aesthetic.

Pooradam

On this day, the sculptures of King Mahabali and Lord Vamana are carefully washed and placed in the centre of the pookalam.

Uthradom

On this day, people purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the market and prepare delicious traditional meals. It is believed that King Mahabali arrives in the state at this time, so the entire place brims with cheer and laughter.

Thiruonam

On this day, 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, Onam food is cooked by the women of the household.

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Furthermore, people feast on many grand dishes during the festival known as Onam Sadhya. It is also referred to as Onasadya. Approximately 13 varieties of food items are prepared and served that dance on the tongue, satisfying the taste buds. The food is plated on banana leaves with rice, pickles, papads, and other dishes. It is served mainly on Thiruvonam and consists of a nine-course meal with four to five different vegetables. A huge crowd gathers at the temple to attend this feast, and this grand meal is regularly served at the Thrikkakara temple. The most common sweet dish, ‘payasam,’ is made from rice, sugar, coconut, and milk. Vallamkalli (a boat race) is a competition organised during Onam that excites both the participants and the spectators. The boats utilised in this race are shaped like huge snakes. These boats are rowed by hundreds of men who compete against each other. A hefty amount of cash prize is rewarded to the winners.

Processions referred to as “Attachamayam” takes place at Thrippunithura near Kochi that set in motion the festivities of Onam. This procession is also known as Thrippunithura Attachamayan due to its location. Elephants are embellished with ornaments for this grand procession. Thrikkakara appan or Vamana idols are lodged in houses for worship. Traditional activities like Kathakali dance, music, art, and cuisine are immensely focused on during this season. Women also participate in pookalam competitions where they can showcase their talent by making a beautiful pookalam. The grand tiger dance is called Pulkali, which translates to ‘the play of the tiger’ from 200 years ago. The former King of Kochi continued this tradition by adding masculinity to it. For this dance, people paint themselves like a tiger and wear masks while performing it to the tunes of traditional music. In this fast-forward world where people succumb to Western culture, Onam rekindles the tradition and preserves the culture of Kerala. Men wear white lungis with golden or other coloured borders; women drape a white saree and clip jasmine or roses to their hair.

In the rural region of Kerala, the swing ceremony is a fundamental part of their celebration. The people sing Onappaatt or Onam songs and gently push the swing. A handloom fair during Onam displays handicrafts like jewellery, textiles, pottery, wooden sculptures etc., adding to the people's festive spirit. Games like Onakalikal and Talappanthukali are very engrossing and played by many people, with the latter being famous among men. Talappanthukali is played with a ball between two teams of men. The ball used can be a normal store-bought or woven from palm leaves. Archery or Ambeyyal is engaging with many people participating in it. Women partake in many cultural dances like Kaikottikali or clap dance which is highly favoured and enjoyed by the people. Other folk dances include Thumbi Thullal, which requires a circular formation for its performance. Dancing is another devotional form of paying tribute to King Mahabali. The tradition of Onathallu can be seen as a violent activity of beating each other up in groups. It is one of the oldest games to survive the generations. It is a barehanded fight where one is prohibited from using any weapons or harmful tools, strictly enforcing the rule of gentle hits on the back of the body. Hitting in the face, punching or kicking the opponent is forbidden and can result in elimination. From age 12 to 40, all men are qualified to participate in this activity that tests their physical strength and abilities.

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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.