Onam is both an annual harvest festival and a welcome of Mahabali, the revered demon king. In stories, Mahabali who is more popularly known as Maaveli is portrayed as being more benevolent that the gods. The Vaman avatar of Lord Vishnu is also remembered during this festival.
Every aspect of Onam, from pookalams to onasadhya to native art forms to vallamkali to procession games and presents, is crucial to the celebration of joy.
This time of year, relatives who reside far away visit their homes. And during the Onam celebration, they join together for sadya, pookkalam, games, picnics, movies, and shopping. It is a festival of unity and every member of the family contribute his/her contribution for the preparations.
What is Onam
Mahabali is regarded as one of the greatest kings to have ruled Kerala, and it is said that he pays a fabled visit to his kingdom every year to see how his subjects are doing.According to an ancient legend, King Mahabali was the greatest king of Kerala and he is credited with making that region prosperous.
Lord Vishnu came to earth as a short Brahmin called Vaman and tricked Mahabali into giving him his land. Since the Mahabali promised Vishnu that he could visit his land once a year, Onam is celebrated by Keralites on this day.
When is Onam (Thiruvonam) celebrated in 2022?
Onam is a celebration that occurs on the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatra in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam.The date for Thiruvonam (Main Onam) this year, in 2022, is September 08, Thursday.
10 Days of Onam Festival
Onam, the most important festival of Kerala in India, takes place during Chingam, the first month of Kollavarsham and the celebration lasts for 10 days.Significant traditions and rituals are observed on each of these days, which add up to the final day, known as Thiruvonam.
- Day-1: Atham - on Tuesday, 30th August 2022 This day marks the beginning of Mahabali's preparations for his trip to Kerala. Atthachamayam is launched from Thrippunithura, the spot where it is supposed Mahabali was exiled from Earth.
- Day-2: Chithira - on Wednesday, 31st August 2022 The people of Kerala clean their homes and surrounding areas on this day.
- Day-3: Chodhi - on Thursday, 1st September 2022 Families go shopping for various items and exchange of new garments and jewelry known as Onakodi.
- Day-4: Vishakam - on Friday, 2nd September 2022 It is time to begin preparing, among other things, pickles and pappadams for the Onasadhya.
- Day-5: Anizham - on Saturday, 3rd September 2022 A popular boat race, Anizham Vallamkali, commences in Aranmula, on the banks of the Pamba River.
- Day-6: Thriketa - on Sunday, 4th September 2022 The majority of families visit their ancestral houses and exchange presents on this day.
- Day-7: Moolam - on Monday, 5th September 2022 Artists dressed as tigers, goats, and hunters dance to the beats of indigenous percussion instruments during Puli Kali performances. Thiruvathira Kali is a significant festival dance in which Set-Mundu-costumed women dance around a Pookkalam and a Nila Vilakku.
- Day-8: Pooradam - on Tuesday, 6th September 2022 Tiny sculptures of Mahabali and Vamana are brought inside households and placed in the center of the Pookalam. It is believed that Mahabali will only visit homes after the sculptures have been installed.
- Day-9: Uthradam - on Wednesday, 7th September 2022 On the night of Onam, families rush to the marketplaces to purchase fresh vegetables and other supplies for the major sadhya, conducted on the final day of the celebration.
- Day-10: Thiruvonam - on Thursday, 8th September 2022 The final day of Onam begins with a morning bath and the donning of new garments for everyone in the family.
- Avittam: On Friday, 9th September 2022 (Moonnam Onam, Third Onam)
- Chathayam: On Saturday, 10th September 2022 (Nalaam Onam, Fourth Onam)
People will begin decorating their homes with pookalam, the floral rangoli style of Kerala. Athapoo is the term for the Pookalam laid on Atham day. It is quite little with yellow blossoms. With the addition of flowers as the festival unfolds, the Pookalam swells in size.
On this day, everyone eats on plantain leaves spread on the floor. The Onasadhya (Onam day lunch) usually consists of approximately a dozen distinct exquisite treats. Along with the food there is a characteristic sweet recipe called 'payasam', made from rice, coconut milk and sugar.
Malayalam proverb "Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam" attests to the significance of the Onam feast by stating that one should not miss the Onam sadhya even if they must sell their possessions.
After the sadhya, people get together to play a variety of games, including vadam vali, which is the most popular.
Additional Onam Days:
Mahabali will spend two more days touring his previous kingdom and bestowing blessings on the people.
How to say: Onam Greetings
The joyful festivities includes food and dance parties, as well as greeting cards with good wishes.The most popular greeting card message in Malayalam is "ONASAMSAKAL!" or "ONAM AASAMSAKAL!" meaning Happy Onam.
More Onam Greeting Messages:
- Have a wonderful future and happy Onam!
- I wish you a happy and prosperous Onam.
- May your home be a place of joy, peace, and happiness during this Onam season.
Onam Malayalam Movie Releases 2022:
The following Malayalam Movies are getting ready to release during this Onam season- Alone by Shaji kailas (Mohanlal)
- Gold by Alphonse Putheran (Prithviraj)
- Monster by Vysakh (Mohanlal)
- Ottu by Felini (Kunchacko Boban)
- Padavettu by Liju Krishna (Nivin Pauly)
- Rorschach by Nisam Basheer (Mammootty)
- Oru Thekkan Thallu Case by Sreejith (Biju Menon)
- Palthu Janwar by Sangeeth P Rajan (Basil Joseph)
