Also known as: Thiruvonam, Thiruonam, Onam festival · Observed: Kerala and Malayali communities worldwide
Significance of Onam
Onam is the most important festival of Kerala, celebrated by Malayalis of every community. It falls in the month of Chingam, after the monsoon rains, when the paddy harvest is gathered and the land is green and full. At its heart is the remembrance of Mahabali, the beloved asura king whose reign is remembered in a popular folk song as a golden age when all people were equal, there was no deceit or theft, and no one went hungry. Onam is believed to be the day when Mahabali returns from the netherworld to visit his people, and Keralites prepare their homes and hearts to welcome him.
The festival thus combines harvest thanksgiving, nostalgia for an ideal society and a joyful affirmation of Kerala's culture.
The Legend of Mahabali and Vamana
Mahabali, grandson of the devotee Prahlada, became so powerful through his virtue and generosity that he ruled the three worlds, causing anxiety among the gods. Vishnu took the form of Vamana, a small Brahmin boy, and came to Mahabali's sacrifice to ask for three steps of land. Though warned by his guru Shukracharya, Mahabali kept his word. Vamana grew into the cosmic form Trivikrama, covered the earth and the heavens in two strides, and Mahabali offered his own head for the third. Pleased with his devotion and integrity, Vishnu sent him to rule Sutala, a realm below, and granted him the boon of visiting his people once a year. The Vamana temple at Thrikkakara near Kochi is closely associated with the festival.
How Onam Is Celebrated
Celebrations span ten days, beginning on the day of Atham (Hasta) nakshatra and culminating on Thiruvonam. Each morning a pookalam, a floral carpet, is laid in the courtyard, growing larger and more elaborate each day. On Thiruvonam, families wear new clothes (Onakkodi), and clay pyramids representing Vamana, called Thrikkakarappan, are placed in the pookalam. The Atthachamayam procession at Thrippunithura opens the season.
Kerala's backwaters host vallam kali, the snake boat races, with long boats rowed by over a hundred oarsmen to the rhythm of vanchipattu songs; the Aranmula boat festival is associated with the Parthasarathy temple. Pulikali performers painted as tigers dance through Thrissur, and women perform thiruvathirakali, the graceful circle dance. Games, swings and kaikottikali fill the days.
The Onasadya
The grand vegetarian feast, Onasadya, is served on a banana leaf and may include over two dozen dishes: rice with parippu and ghee, sambar, rasam, avial, thoran, olan, kalan, erissery, kootu curry, pachadi, kichadi, inji puli, pickles, banana chips, sharkara varatti, pappadam and several kinds of payasam such as ada pradhaman and palada. The order of serving and eating is carefully observed.
How the Date Is Determined
Onam is set by the solar calendar together with a nakshatra. It is the day of Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the Malayalam solar month of Chingam, which begins when the Sun enters sidereal Simha. Kerala almanacs fix Thiruvonam on the day when the nakshatra prevails for the required part of the daytime; the ten-day season counts back to Atham. Because it is tied to a nakshatra rather than a tithi, Onam does not follow the lunar month directly.
Rituals and customs
- Daily pookalam floral carpets from Atham to Thiruvonam
- Placing Thrikkakarappan figures for Vamana
- New clothes (Onakkodi) given by elders
- Onasadya feast on banana leaf
- Vallam kali snake boat races
- Pulikali and thiruvathirakali dances