Onam is the auspicious occasion of Keralites. It is a Malayali festival rejoiced by all the Keralites across the world in full gaiety. They celebrate the favorable 10-day long harvest fiesta of Kerala from Wednesday, 14th September.
Happy Onam to Keralites (Pinterest)
Onam is observed in the Chingam month every year on the Malayalam Solar Calendar. On the day when Nakshatra Thiruvonam rules in the Chingam month, it is regarded as the Onam celebration time. The occasion honors the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and also signifies the annual homecoming of mythological Emperor Mahabali from the underworld homecoming of Thiruvonam, Asura king Mahabali is considered to visit all the Malayali homes, and meet his subjects personally.
Onam Celebrations in Kerala (twitter.com)
Onam Celebrations for Ten Days
The festival of Onam begins on Atham day (when Atham Nakshatra succeeds) and persists for ten days till the Thiruvonam day.
Kids playing an Act on Onam Festival (raxacollective.com)
Day 1: Atham
Day 2: Chithira
Day 3: Chodhi
Day 4: Vishakam
Day 5: Anizham
Day 6: Thriketa
Day 7: Moolam
Day 8: Pooradam
Day 9: Uthradom
Day 10: Thiruvonam
Onam celebrations with family (Tour My India)
Onam Harvest Time
This is the harvest time in Kerala. During this time weather is awesome with celebrations in the air, and people are full-spirited. The fields appear bright with paddy grains shining in golden color. It is also the season when flowers and fruits bloom greatly. All the Keralite farmers are content with plentiful harvests and rejoice in this festival.
Farmers happy with great Harvest (topyaps.com)
How Onam is rejoiced by Keralites?
This special occasion is celebrated by Keralites amazingly as they wear their traditional outfits. Women look really beautiful in white sarees with golden borders, and white flowers [gajra] attached to their long-braided hair. Men wear a white shirt with a gold border and mundu.
Girls celebrate the Onam fest with dance (India Today)
Onam festival also includes boat races performed by men [Vallam Kali], Onam fights [Onathallu], flower carpet [Pookkalam], Tug of War [Vadamvali], Lord of Onam [Onathappan], Kummati Kali, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Onapottan, Kazhchakkula, tiger dance [Pulikali] and many others. The remarkable celebration starts with a magnificent parade recognized as Atthachamayam in Thripunithara, Kochi.
Tiger Dance (www.pinterest.com)
Elephant Race on Onam (indianexpress.com)
Tug-of-War played during Onam Festival (post.jagran.com)
Pookalam Onam [rangoli]
Keralites decorate their homes with colorful flowers designed in a rangoli style known as Pookalam which is changed and beautified every day in different styles from Atham, Day 1 to Thiruvonam, Day 10. Through this rangoli competition, the best design is being awarded.
Rangoli preparation on Onam (www.financialexpress.com)
Boat Race on Onam
The boat race is hugely popular as the winning boat team is offered a prize. Lots of people gather on the banks of the river to watch this show. Snake boat race or Vallamkali is the most enthralling feature of Onam festival. The popularity of Vallamkali is continued for years and every year it is growing tourist attraction excessively. They are not common boats as they are almost 100 feet in length and the seating capacity is 150 men. These boats are built of anjili [Artocarpus hirsuta], but sometimes kadamb [Naucleadcadamba] and teak are utilized to make it.
Vallamkali or Snake Boat Race during Onam (blessingsonthenet.com)
Onam Sadya [meal]
Keralites are served a full meal of various kinds of dishes on a banana leaf. The main spotlight of Thiruvonam is Onam Sadya where almost 30 to 65 vegetarian dishes are made approximately. The Onam feast is prepared in a lavish way, and every single Keralite has this meal.
Onam Meal (www.sharmispassions.com)
Wishing Happy Onam to everyone!
Wonderful Festival of Onam (frillthrills.com)
Hope this wonderful festival of Onam brings prosperity, good fortune, and lots of happiness to all! 🙂
Sanghamitra Roychoudhary
Follow me as @SanghamitraRch on Twitter.
Latest posts by Sanghamitra Roychoudhary (see all)
- Tactical Gear for Women: Empowering and Functional Options - May 30, 2023
- Chennai Super Kings wins IPL 2023 Trophy clinching their Fifth Title - May 22, 2023
- April Topicals: List of Important Dates to Explore - Apr 16, 2023
A proficient Web Content Developer (Technical and Non-Technical Writer), Blogger, and Freelance Content Writer. A happy author of www.w3buzz.in! She is a creative person, always eager to learn new aspects, and seeking new ways for improving skills in her field. She loves traveling & photography; also, a sports enthusiast!
Follow me as @SanghamitraRch on Twitter.
Leave a Reply