Onam- Astrological Significance, History and Celebrations

Celebrated widely among the people in Kerala, the festival of Onam is the most important one in the Malayali culture. It is the annual harvest festival of the Malayalis and it takes place in the month of Chingam (August-September), the first month of the Malayalam calendar, and lasts ten days. It is primarily a Hindu festival and has its roots in Malayali-Hindu Folktales.

The celebration of Onam occurs with the celebration of Thiruvathira and Vishu. This festival takes place in different regions of Kerala to commemorate the great King Mahabali. People on this day, worship to the Gods with the belief that Mahabali’s spirit will visit Kerala meanwhile the festival of Onam is celebrated to bless the city.

For centuries, Onam has been a part of Malayali culture, records of Onam celebrations dating back to the Sangam era. Earlier Onam was celebrated throughout the entire month of Chingam. Chingam is a welcome month for people in Kerala after the rainy month of Karkidakam, which brought with it many struggles and hardships related to extreme rainfall.

The festival heralds the beginning of harvest season in Kerala. It symbolizes the season's renewed vigour and excitement, and it's celebrated with traditional fervor, including temple visits, family get-togethers, gifting each other Onakkodi, and plenty of merrymaking.

In 2021, Onam will begin on August 12 and will end on August 23, with on-going festivities celebrated for 10 days.

Legend behind the celebration of Onam:

The legend is with the story of King Mahabali or Maveli and Lord Vishnu's avatar or incarnation of Vamana.

King Mahabali, was a very efficient, generous and popular Asura King. His kingdom spanned the earth (prithvi), under-earth (pataala) and reached to the skies. Since, the gods were worried of Mahabali's rising popularity, they requested Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu, took the avatar of Vamana and appeared before the generous king Mahabali, for a piece of land only 3 paces of his feet.

When granted the wish, Vamana grew so big in size that with one step he covered the earth and with another the heavens. King Mahabali, on learning the trickery of the Vamana, offered his head to save the people of Kerala. Impressed by the King's love and philanthropy towards his subjects, the Vamana granted him a wish to visit Kerala once in a year to find that his people are happy and prosperous. The day Mahabali comes to visit his people is known as the festival of 'Onam'.

Onam Festival - Celebration and Rituals

The festival of harvest, Onam is observed with great pomp and vigour for ten days in Kerala. Some rituals and celebrations that take place during these 10 days are as follows:

  • Family members get up early in the morning on Attam and put on new “Onakkodi” clothing and worship Thrikkakara appan or Vaman Vishnu idols.
  • Malayali women draw various "Pookkalam," or floral designs to welcome King Mahabali, on the east side of their houses. Lamps are lit and traditional Onam songs (Onappattukal) are sung.
  • On Thiru Onam, a swing is swung from a high branch of a tree and is decorated with roses. Women ride it in turns, singing melodious songs. A swinging ceremony is then held.
  • A grand feast called "Onam Sadya" is hosted on the third day of Onam for relatives and friends. At least 13 dishes are prepared and served on banana leaves. Food items include rice, vegetable curry, curd, and Payasam (sweet stew), which is a must have.
  • The popular "Vallamkali" or Snake Boat Race is held in various locations in the backwaters of Kerala. Hundreds of huge, decorated boats with at least seven drums compete in the race in Alappuzha, Kerala. People come from all over the country and the world to witness this grand Onam race.
  • The young members of the family give vegetables and coconut oil as gifts (Onakazhcha) to the family's eldest member, known as "Karanavar '' on the ninth day of Onam, popular only among Kerala's Nair sects.
  • Various cultural activities and festivities are held in temples and religious places during the Onam festival, especially on the tenth day. Ornaments are put on elephants, and grand processions are carried out.

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