It falls during the first Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for ten days starting
on Atham and ending on Thiruvonam. Hence, it can be considered as a New Year celebration.
The festival is marked by various festivities, including intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunches, snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula in Guruvayoor, Puli Kali, and Kaikottikkali. These festivities make Onam a unique festival on the earth which is embellished by most number of cultural elements and it can be undoubtedly said that these elements constitute the colorfulness, diversity and richness that no other festival can claim. On Onam day people also conduct special prayers in Hindu temples.
Significance of Onam:-
Onam is an ancient festival which
still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and
the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the Malayalam month of Chingam,
celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by
the people of Kerala since prehistory.
Onam |
According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during
the reign of King Mahabali. The Brahma-Vaivarta
Puranam explains that Lord Vishnu wanted to
curb the pride of Indra; and therefore positioned Mahabali in great power.
The Bhagavata Purana reads
"He [Vishnu] will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and
give it to Bali Maharaja."
The subjects under Mahabali's reign were happy and prosperous and
the king was highly regarded, so much so that even the gods under Indra became jealous of Mahabali as was
intended by Vishnu, and they approached Vishnu claiming
that Mahabali is now equivalent to an Indra. Once Vishnu was assured that
Indra's pride has been contained and that a world with two Indras represents
imbalance, Vishnu assumed the form of a dwarf: Vamana. Vamana requested three steps of land for him to live
in. Given a promise of three steps of land by King Mahabali against
the warning given by his Guru Sukracharya, Vamana, enlarged himself to such dimensions as to
stride over the three worlds. He had grown so huge that he could step from
heaven to earth, and earth to the lower worlds in two simple steps. King Mahabali unable
to fulfill the promise of three paces of land to the Supreme God, offers his
head for the third step. Thus, Vamana places his foot on King Mahabali's head
and sends him down to the netherworld. Being worshipped however, by Mahabali,
and his ancestor Prahláda, he conceded to them the sovereignty of Patala (netherworld).
However, as Mahabali was equivalent to Indra, he had to wait until
the next Yuga where he would be the Indra. In the
meantime, with the grace of Vishnu, Mahabali visited his people on an annual
basis. Vishnu served Mahabali as a gatekeeper in Patala as the Lord himself
serves his greatest devotees.
It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every
year. People celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear
King that they are happy and wish him well.
The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form
and spirit during the ten-day festival. The central feature of Onam is the
grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine-course meal
consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves
and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.
Onam Celebrations |
Another popular feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat
Race, held on the Pamba River, in which decorative boats oared by hundreds of
boatmen race amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators and viewers.
There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called
Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played
with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and
Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed
flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome
King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two dances performed by
women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the
zest of celebrations.
Mahabali's rule is
considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung over
Onam:
“
|
Maveli nadu
vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole amodhathode vasikkum kalam apathangarkkumottillathanum kallavum illa chathiyumilla ellolamilla polivachanam kallapparayum cherunazhiyum kallatharangal mattonnumilla adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla balamaranangal kelppanilla |
”
|
Translation:-
“
|
When Maveli ruled
the land,
All the
people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry; They were all free from harm. There was neither anxiety nor sickness, Deaths of children were unheard of, There were no lies, There was neither theft nor deceit, And no one was false in speech either. Measures and weights were right; No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless races |
”
|
10 Days of Celebration:-
The
celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The 10 days
are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own
importance in various rituals and traditions. Earthen mounds, which look
somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in
the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house and beautifully decorated
with flowers. Known as ‘Onapookkalam’, it is a carpet made out of the gathered
blossoms with one or two varieties of foliage of differing tints pinched up
into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. It is considered a work of
art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and
blending. (In a similar manner North Indians make something called "Rangoli"
which is made of powders of various colors.) When completed, a miniature pandal, hung with
little festoons is erected over it.
Onam Wishes |
Atham- The first day of Onam Celebrations
Onam
starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is believed that
King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from heaven to Kerala on this
day. The day also marks the start of festivities at Thrikkakara Temple (considered as the
abode of Mahabali). The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a
grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Athachamayam.
In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in
full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara Temple. After independence, the
public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession
which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk
art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which
is now aggressively promoted as a tourist event.
The
traditional ritual of laying Pookalam (floral carpet) starts
on Atham day. The size of pookalam on this day is called as Athapoo and will
small which eventually grew day after day. Only yellow flowers will be used on
this day and the design will be simple. Also the statues of Mahabali and
Vamanan will be installed on the entrance of each house on this day.
Chithira- The second day of Onam Celebrations
The
second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookalam design with 2
different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this
day, people starts cleaning the house-hold to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.
Chodi- The third day of Onam Celebrations
The
pookalam now will start growing in its size by adding new layers or designs
with at least 4 to 5 different flowers. The day also marks the start of
shopping activities. Onam is associated with gifting new clothes, hence from
this day onwards people start buy new clothes and jewellery.
Vishakam- The fourth day of Onam Celebrations
Vishakam
is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the
markets open this harvest sale on this day, making one of the busiest days in
the markets for public. Today Vishakam marks the start of many Onam-related
competitions like Pookalam competitions etc.
Anizham- The fifth day of Onam Celebrations
Anizham
is one of the most important day in the Onam days as it kicks off the great Vallam Kali (Snake
boat) at many parts of Kerala. A mock Vallam Kali is conducted on this day at Aranmula
as a dress-rehearsal for the famed Aranmula boat race which
will be held after Onam.
Thriketa- The sixth day of Onam Celebrations
By the
sixth day, the public frenzy starts going on higher side. Most of the schools
and public offices starts issuing holidays from this day onwards and people
starts packing their bags to their native homes to celebrate the festival with
their dear ones. The pookalam design will be very large by this time, with at
least 5 to 6 new flowers types added to the original designs.
Moolam- The seventh day of Onam Celebrations
On the
seventh day, the smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special
buffet lunch) starts in many places. Most of the temples offers special sadhyas
on from this day. Festivities include Puli Kali (Masked
leopard dance) and traditional dance forms like Kaikotti Kali also performed in
various functions. The official Government celebrations starts on this day with
heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram City, Kochi city and Kozhikode along
with fireworks.
Pooradam- The eight day of Onam Celebrations
The day
marks off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali
and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house as a
procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookalam smeared
with rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who will be
Pooradaunnikkal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan.
The
pookalam design from Pooradam day onwards get much bigger and complex in
design. Shopping will be one of the major activities as the public will be
making final purchases for the great Thiruvonam day.
Uthradom- The ninth day of Onam Celebrations
Uthradom is
the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. It is considered as
Onam eve and celebrated in a very big way. The importance of this day is last
minute extreme shopping frenzy called as Uthradapachal and is considered the
most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with
other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.
Uthradam
is known as FIRST ONAM because it marks the day when King
Mahabali descends Kerala and the traditional myths says that the king will
spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom and blessing the
subjects. Due to this Urthadom is celebrated in a very pompous manner with
larger pookalam and celebrations in household. The Urthada lunch is very famous
tradition. Women normally cuts the first set of vegetables on this day that
marks the celebrations of Thiruvonam in each household and preparations for grand
Onam buffet starts in evening of Uthradom day.
Thiruvonam- The tenth day of Onam Celebrations
The
final day of Onam that culminates the 10 days of Onam Carnival. The day is
known as Thiru-Onam (Sacred Onam Day) also known as SECOND
ONAM. Myth says, it was the day Mahabali was suppressed to underworld by
Vamana. The day marks return of Mahabali to his fabled land (Kerala), as per
the boon he received from Vamana to meet his subjects and bless them. Apart
from this myth, this day is considered auspicious being birthdays of several
temple deities like Vamana of Thrikkara temple, Sree Padmanabha Swamy of
Thiruvananthapuram etc. Though a traditional Hindu festival, Onam today has
emerged as a secular festival associated with harvest time of Kerala.
Activities
begin early in the morning. People clean their house, smear the main entrance
with rice-flour batter (a traditional welcome sign), take early bath, wear new
clothes and distribute alms to needy. The eldest female member of each family
presents clothes to all the members of the family. Special prayers and Masses
are organized in temples, churches and mosques that highlight the secular
nature of festival. Later a very special and the biggest of all days, Pookalam
is prepared to welcome Mahabali.
The
most important activity of Thiruvonam is the grand Thiruona-Sadya,
well known for being one of the most sumptuous feasts ever prepared by mankind.
The level of sumptuous varies at each individual household, however every
household tries to make as grand as possible as they can. The feast served on
plantain leaves have more than 13 to 15 curries apart from other regular items.
In hotels and temples, number of curries and dishes can go up to 30 for the
feast. Whatever may happen no malayalee will miss the Grand ona-sadya. There is
a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam
Vittum Onam Unnanam" which means "We should have the
Thiruvonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties" which shows
the importance of the grand lunch on the Thiruvonam day.
A
fabulous display of fireworks turns the capital Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi
into a veritable fairyland. Sumptuous feasts are prepared in every household.
Even the poorest of the poor manage to find something for himself to celebrate
the state festival in his own humble way.
The
afternoon is marked with various traditional Onam games, normally seen in rural
areas and those organized by resident associations, clubs etc. in large cities.
In
evening people meet their friends and relatives and wish them Happy Onam saying
“Thiruvonam Aashamsakal”
Onam Festival |
Post Onam celebrations
Normally,
Onam celebrations ends by Thiruvonam. However, two days following Thiruvonam is
also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam is called Avvittom which
mark the preparations of King Mahabali for his ascension to heavens. The main
ritual for the day is to take the Onatthappan statute placed in middle of
Pookalam for past 10 days and immerse in nearby rivers or seas. The pookalam is
removed and this marks the finale to the Onam celebrations. The day is also
important for the dance of lions, known as Puli Kali where men, with their body
painted as lions, dance and make a procession around the town of Thrissur in large groups. The Puli-kali
is considered the end of traditional Onam celebrations.
Fourth
Onam is known as Chatayam. The official government celebrations
ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital city- Thiruvananthapuram
<== HAPPY ONAM ==>
6 comments:
What a wonderful post! I like the photos and how you write the celebration of Onam festival. My Onam messages to all Keralites,,, May you be blessed on Onam, have a prosperous and blessed Onam festival.
Cheers
Thanks for sharing information on the Onam festival. I wish you an advance Onam greetings. More power to your blog.
That's a nice onam images, thank you for the nice share.
Sasha
http://cathy.snydle.com/onam-greetings.html
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