Onam 2022: The Celebration of Kerala’s Culture & Heritage





Onam is an annual Hindu pageant celebrated within the state of Kerala. It’s the nationwide pageant of Kerala, reflecting the state’s tradition and heritage in a novel means.
It’s, certainly, essentially the most revered pageant of the state. Onam brings in the very best festive spirit amongst Keralites, regardless of social standing and faith, and is widely known with a lot splendor.
The pageant extends from Atham (Hasta) Nakshatram to Chathayam (Shatabhisha) Nakshatram within the month of Chingam. The celebrations might be in full splendor on Uthradam (Uttara Ashada), Thiruvonam (Sravana), Avittom (Dhanishta), and Chathayam (Shatabhisha), that are typically thought to be Onnaam (First) Onam, Randaam (Second) Onam, Moonnam (Third) Onam and Naalaam (Fourth) Onam respectively.
An important day of the pageant is Thiruvonam. The pageant identify ‘Onam’ itself is a tweak of the phrase Thiruvonam. On the Gregorian calendar, Onam normally falls in late August or early September.
Pookkalam:
Also referred to as Athapookkalam, these are the inventive floral designs laid on the bottom, normally in entrance of the home. Usually, on the day of Atham, womenfolk of the household dressed up in conventional kinds, gather flowers and prepare the patterns. These days, conducting Athapookkalam occasions is a typical follow by which each women and men take part in giant numbers.
The standard Kerala feast served on banana leaves. Meals with greater than 13 conventional dishes, together with chips, pickles, and papads, are ready for this. Payasam, a attribute candy dish manufactured from rice, milk, sugar, and coconut, is a should for Onasadya.
That is the standard Kerala boat race occasion, normally performed on the event of Onam. Lengthy picket boats referred to as Chundanvallam(Snake boats), rowed by a whole bunch of oarsmen, compete with one another, and the winners get big quantities of money as rewards.
This contains individuals with ‘yellow and black physique paints, resembling tigers’ dancing and amusing the spectators. In latest instances, this has grown to be an enormous occasion and a significant vacationer attraction.
The cultural occasions would develop into a typical sight throughout Kerala by this time. Individuals would go to and take part in occasions with their close to and pricey ones.
When is Onam celebrated?
The pageant of Onam lasts greater than ten days. It’s celebrated within the month of Chingam (Simha), which is the primary month within the conventional Malayalam photo voltaic calendar.
When is Thiruvonam 2022?
Thiruvonam 2022, crucial event of the pageant of Onam, falls on September 8, Thursday. So the pageant date of Onam in 2022 is September 8. Atham, the day marking the start of celebrations, falls on August 30, Tuesday.Pageant Date of Onam in 2022 is September 8
Onam 2022 – Essential Dates and Timings
Dawn: September 8 2022, 6:18 AM
Sundown : September 8, 2022, 6:26 PM
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins: September 7, 2022, 4:00 PM
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends: September 8, 2022, 1:46 PM
Nakshatra | Date | Weekday |
Atham (Hasta) | August 30 | Tuesday |
Chithira (Chitra)/Chothi (Swati) | August 31 | Wednesday |
Chodi (Svati) | September 1 | Thursday |
Visakham (Visakha) | September 2 | Friday |
Anizham (Anuradha) | September 3 | Saturday |
Thrikketta (Jyeshta) | September 4 | Sunday |
Moolam (Moola) | September 5 | Monday |
Pooradam (PurvaAshada) | September 6 | Tuesday |
Uthradam (UtharaAshada) | September 7 | Wednesday |
Thiruvonam (Sravana) | September 8 | Thursday |
Avittam (Dhanishta) | September 9 | Friday |
Chathayam (Shatabhisha) | September 10 | Saturday |
Onam 2022: Cultural Significances
Onam, the most important pageant within the state of Kerala, fills the hearts of individuals with gaiety and brings them collectively to be part of the colourful, cultural pageant. All Keralites, their households, neighborhoods, and even the private and non-private organizations attempt to make the celebrations as grand as they’ll. Yearly, the Govt. Of Kerala declares a 4-day vacation break to have fun Onam. The 4 days are the First (Uthradam), Second (Thiruvonam), Third (Avittam), and Fourth (Chathayam) Onam days. Thiruvonam, the second Onam, is the principle day that’s celebrated with essentially the most pomp and splendor. It’s crucial pageant that fills up gaiety in each nook and nook of the land. The celebrations vary from households shopping for new garments and feasting collectively to giant social occasions showcasing numerous cultural and sports activities entertainments.Mahabali
For Keralites, the Onam celebrations are a commemoration of the legendary King Mahabali. It’s believed that throughout the reign of Mahabali, affluence, and righteousness prevailed throughout this land, and Onam is a remembrance of that stunning interval. The widespread perception is that yearly, on the day of Thiruvonam, Mahabali visits his land and folks from PatalLoka (nether world). Some affiliate this pageant with the beginning of Vishnu’s fifth avatar Vamana.Harvest pageant of Kerala
Onam can also be the rice harvest pageant of Kerala. It falls at the moment of the 12 months when the monsoon takes a break. The climate might be good, neither too dry nor too moist, and the flowers might be in full bloom. The assorted customs and celebrations noticed on the event of Onam are symbolic of agricultural prosperity and general social affluence. Onam is crucial pageant of the Hindus in Kerala, however this event is loved by different communities too. The grand celebrations of this pageant get rid of all of the spiritual disparities in society. It’s a widespread follow for the opposite communities right here to affix the Hindus of their conventional Onam feast and different merrymakings. It unites individuals of all communities and spreads the message of peace and concord.Onam celebrations
All of the celebrations related to Onam are a show of Kerala’s wealthy heritage and tradition. Numerous post-harvest sports activities, Onapattukal (Onam songs), Kaikottikkali, and all different cultural and leisure packages depict the wonder and pleasure of an important custom. This time of the 12 months can also be thought-about the tourism week in Kerala and is the very best time to go to the state. All of the retailers and industrial institutions within the state get pleasure from most enterprise on this interval of the 12 months.The Legend of Onam
The historical past of Onam dates again to the Sangam interval when it was was once celebrated for a month. Based on mythology, Kerala was dominated by the demon King Mahabali (grandson of Prahlad), who was a mighty ruler, and he managed all three Lokas – BhuLoka, Deva Loka, and PatalLoka (Earth, Heaven, and the Nether World). Regardless that he belonged to the Asura clan, he was recognized to be beneficiant and type to his individuals, and for that, he was adored. It was throughout his reign that Kerala noticed the very best of instances; prosperity and grandeur dominated all over the place. Nevertheless, the Gods had been sad with him as a result of he had defeated them, and his energy and recognition stored rising. Therefore, they approached Lord Vishnu for assist.Vamana and Mahabali
Sensing their concern, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin Vamana and visited the king. Vamana requested Mahabali to grant him the land which he can cowl with three toes. Being a form and charitable particular person, Mahabali granted his want, and shortly Vamana began to develop big in dimension. As he lined the Earth and Heaven along with his first two steps, King Bali requested him to maintain his final step on his head which lead him to Patala (nether world). Nevertheless, for the nice deeds of King Bali, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon to go to his individuals yearly, which led to the celebration of the Onam pageant. So, Onam celebrates the homecoming of KingMahabali.Rituals of Onam Pageant
Following are some traditions/practices generally adopted as a part of Onam celebrations.Pookkalam:![pookkalam-onam]()
Also referred to as Athapookkalam, these are the inventive floral designs laid on the bottom, normally in entrance of the home. Usually, on the day of Atham, womenfolk of the household dressed up in conventional kinds, gather flowers and prepare the patterns. These days, conducting Athapookkalam occasions is a typical follow by which each women and men take part in giant numbers.
Onakkodi:
The brand new garments that folks present to their pricey ones on the event of Onam.Onasadya / Onam Sadya:
Vallamkali:
Pulikkali:
This contains individuals with ‘yellow and black physique paints, resembling tigers’ dancing and amusing the spectators. In latest instances, this has grown to be an enormous occasion and a significant vacationer attraction.
Kaikottikkali:
A dance kind by which girls, wearing conventional fashion, kind a round sample round a Nilavilaku (oil lamp) and transfer in sync with a music. These days, faculties, schools, and workplaces conduct Kaikottikkali as part of their Onam celebrations.Onam 2022, 10-Day Celebrations
The primary day (Atham):
Today marks the start of Onam celebrations. Individuals would generally begin today by visiting the temples. Additionally, they go round amassing or shopping for flowers and arranging the Pookkalam.The second day (Chithira):
The second day of the Onam celebration will begin with some prayers and worship. After that, new flowers might be added to the Pookkalam.The third day (Choti):
From today, individuals normally begin procuring to buy all of the stuff required for the upcoming celebrations.The fourth day (Vishakam):
On today, numerous communities would begin conducting occasions comparable to Pookalam competitions. Ladies may begin getting ready pickles and chips for the ultimate day.The fifth day (Anizham):
Today is understood for the well-known boat race, often known as Vallamkali.The sixth day (Thrikketta):

The seventh day (Moolam):
Massive crowds might be seen all over the place by this time. The markets and streets might be full of distributors promoting meals objects, garments, and so forth.The eighth day (Pooradam):
On today, individuals would begin creating pyramid-shaped idols made out of clay. These idols might be adorned with flowers and organized close to the Pookkalam.The ninth day (Uthradam):
The penultimate day of Onam sees individuals put together to welcome King Mahabali. There’s a heavy rush to obtain the ultimate supplies for Onam. This rush is often known as Uthrada-pachil (Uthradam rush).The tenth day (Thiruvonam):
Thiruvonam is crucial day of Onam. It’s believed that King Mahabali visits his kingdom on today. The spotlight of the day is the sumptous vegetarian feast households get pleasure from throughout midday referred to as Onasadya.[ad_2]