All You need to Know about Onam Festival

Onam Festival:

Onam is the most important festival of Kerala. It falls in the Malayalam month, Chingam (Aug – Sep) and marks the return of the mythical King Mahabali. It is also a harvest festival.  
History & Significance of Onam

Onam celebrations supposedly began during the Sangam Period. Records of such celebrations dating back to the time of Kulasekhara Perumal (800 AD) have been found. In those days, Onam festival was celebrated for an entire month. Now it lasts for 10 days and is promoted as Tourism Week.

Onam celebrates the Asura (demon) King Mahabali’s yearly visit to Kerala, which he once ruled, from Patala (the underworld). Legend says that Mahabali was a good ruler and that his subjects were happy and prosperous. Being a demon king, Mahabali’s growing power and popularity made them fearful, and they asked Lord Vishnu to eliminate him.

Legend of Onam:

Mahabali was known to be very generous and charitable. So, Vishnu went to him in the form of a poor dwarf Brahmin called Vamana and asked him to grant him some land, which could be covered by three steps. Mahabali granted the boon readily. But Vamana began growing in size and in two steps, covered the earth and the sky. As there was no more place for the third step, Mahabali told Vamana to place his foot on his head. Vamana did so and pushed him into Patala.

But Vishnu also granted him a boon, which enabled him to visit his people once, every year. Vamana is also worshipped during this time as Onathappan or Thrikkara appan, a clay figure (representing Vamana or Mahabali), which is placed in the middle of the Pookalam or floral rangoli. The most important day of Onam is Thiruvonam day.

The 10-day Celebrations of Onam:

Onam festival lasts for ten days. The first day, Atham and the tenth day, Thiruvonam are the most important. Each day of Onam has its own significance.
Atham is the day when Mahabali gets ready to visit his kingdom. On this day, people bathe early and offer worship. Then they make Pookalams or floral carpets to welcome Mahabali. Traditionally, the Pookalams have ten circles, each signifying a Hindu god. The colors are chosen according to the preferences of the gods. Yellow flowers alone are used for the first layer on Atham day.

Chithira – Two more layers will be added to the Pookalam. Orange and creamy yellow flowers are used on this day. People go to temples on this day.

Chothi – More layers are added to the Pookalam, and at least 4 or 5 different flowers are used. Shopping activities begin on this day. People buy new clothes and jewelry for Onam.

Vishakam – On this day, markets often have a harvest sale. Pookalam competitions also commence on this day. Women begin to prepare for Ona Sadya (an elaborate feast) on Thiruvonam.

Anizham – The highlight of this day is the Snake Boat Race called Vallam Kali. The popular event takes place on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmula. Hordes of domestic and international tourists come to see the race.

Thriketa – Cultural programs organized by various clubs and cultural societies take place on this day. People of all faiths take part in these events.

Moolam – Smaller versions of the traditional Onasadya commence in many places. Many temples offer special sadyas, too. Events include Puli Kali (leopard dance) and other traditional dances like Kaikotti Kali. The Kerala government’s official begin on this day with colorful illuminations in the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode.

Pooradam – Pyramid-style clay figures, called Onathappan, are installed in the center of the Pookalams. They represent Mahabali and Vamana. By now, the Pookalams will be quite big and complex in design.

First Onam / Uthradom – Mahabali supposedly arrives in Kerala on this day. People complete their Onam shopping and clean their homes. It is an auspicious day for buying fruits and vegetables.

Second Onam / Thiruvonam – On this day, the main Onam celebrations are held. This is when Mahabali is said to visit the homes of his subjects. People take a bath, put on new clothes, and offer special prayers. Families come together to enjoy the Ona Sadya, an elaborate vegetarian feast Various cultural events like dances and games are held. 
A grand fireworks display at night brings the celebration to a spectacular end.

Activities & Events:

Apart from Pookalams, there will be many dances and games during Onam. In Pulikali dance, the dancers paint themselves as tigers or leopards and enact hunting scenes. Kummattikali is a mask dance. The masked dancers visit many houses performing the dance and get small gifts.

At Cheruthuruthy, Kathakali performances are performed. In Thrissur, an elephant procession is a much-awaited event. Decorated with flowers and ornaments, the elephant is taken in procession.

Kaikotti Kali is a traditional and graceful dance, accompanied by handclapping, and performed by women. Vallam Kali, or snake boat race is held in many parts of the state.
Many games are also held during Onam. Collectively, they are called Ona kalikal. Some are rigorous like Talappanthukali, KutuKutukutu Kayyankali, and Attakalam. Archery games are also held.

Best Places for Celebrating Onam:

Thripunithura – Though Onam is celebrated all over Kerala with great gusto, some places are very special, like Tripunithura, near Ernakulam, where the Onam festival is flagged off with Atthachamayam (Royal Parade on Atham Day). The colorful parade has at least 50 floats and 100 tableaux depicting Kerala's life and culture. The VamanamoorthyThrikkakara Temple is also located here. The main deity is Vamana, the Vishnu avatar who sent Mahabali to Patala.

Thrissur –A grand procession with caparisoned elephants takes place in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur. Kathakali performances enacting incidents from epics and folk tales are also held.
Aranmula – This is the place famous for the Aranmula Vallam Kali, or snake boat race. Thousands gather on the banks of the Pampa river to witness the races. Around 30 chundan vallams or snake boats take part in the festival. 

Kovalam – A famous beach in Kerala, Kovalam hosts Kathakali dance performances for Onam., There will be local art fairs and village fairs too, during this period.
Thiruvananthapuram – Kerala Tourism hosts Tourism Week in the state capital, featuring many cultural performances at several 20 venues. They include drama and classical dance, folk arts, handicraft fairs, and food stalls. It ends with a grand parade on the last day, with floats and decorated elephants, and a spectacular fireworks display.