Onam is an annual cultural festival of joy and happiness celebrated in the southern state of Kerala, India. This festival reflects the vast art, cultural heritage, historical and mythological significance of the state. This ten-day festival celebrated with singing and dancing also gives the message of staying connected with nature. Let’s know about it –
Table of Content
- What is Onam Festival
- When is Onam celebrated
- Story and Significance of Onam
- Rituals and Celebrations during Onam
- Moral of Onam
What is Onam Festival
Onam is an annual festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala. This annual harvest festival is the official festival of this state, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Kerala every year. The centuries-old culture of the state is also seen during this festival. This festival usually falls between August-September. A variety of regional events are organised during this 10-day festival. The last day of the Onam festival is called Thiruvonam.
Onam is celebrated by remembering the legend of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation ‘Vamana’ and the benevolent demon king Mahabali. It is believed that on the day of Thiruvonam, the demon king Mahabali visits every Malayali house and meets his people. Onam is the welcoming festival of King Mahabali’s annual meeting with his loved ones.
When is Onam celebrated
Onam is a Malayali festival celebrated for ten days in the month of Chingam (Leo) of the Malayalam solar calendar. Onam, which begins with Atham in the month of Chingam (August/September) as per the local calendar, ends on the day of Thiruvonam. These ten days are known as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam respectively. Thus, the tenth day from Atham nakshatra is Thiruvonam nakshatra. According to other Hindu calendars, Atham nakshatra is known as Hasta nakshatra and Thiruvonam nakshatra is known as Shravan nakshatra.
The day of Thiruvonam celebrates the conclusion of the Onam festival. Malayalis (Malayalam language speakers) celebrate this day as the New Year.
Story and Significance of Onam
According to mythology, King Mahabali was the great-grandson of the tyrannical demon Hiranyakashyapa and the grandson of the great Vishnu devotee Prahlad. King Mahabali defeated the gods with his might and established his supremacy over the three worlds. The gods then sought the help of Lord Vishnu to fight Mahabali. But Lord Vishnu refused to join the battle, as Mahabali was a good ruler and protector of his subjects. After this, King Bali organised a huge ‘Yagya’ (offering sacrifices in fire) and announced donations as per wish.
During this Yagya event, Lord Mahavishnu took his fifth incarnation as a dwarf Brahmin. This incarnation is known as ‘Vamana’. In the form of Vamana, the Lord arrived at the door of King Bali and demanded donations. The king asked this boy to ask for his desired boon. After this, the size of this dwarf Brahmin started increasing and within no time this dwarf Brahmin Vaman became very huge. So big that he measured all the three worlds ruled by King Bali in just two steps. Then Lord Vamana said, “Rajan, where should I place my third step now?” Then King Mahabali bowed his head forward and said, “Prabhu, please accept me by placing your third step on me.” As soon as Vaman placed his step, Mahabali went to Patala Loka. When King Mahabali stuck to his word even after everything was destroyed, Lord Vishnu was very pleased and he made Mahabali the king of ‘Patala Loka’.
King Mahabali loved his people very much and always worked for their welfare. Therefore, he expressed his wish to the Lord that he could meet his people in future also. Then the Lord blessed him that he would be able to meet his people once a year. Since Mahabali is immortal, he does not die. And he comes every year on the occasion of Onam festival to see the condition of his subjects.
Rituals and Celebrations during Onam
The first and last day of the Onam festival are especially important for Kerala. The festival begins with the flag hoisting ceremony at the Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple in Kochi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Vaman. This temple is considered to be the main centre of Onam Festival and the home of Mahabali. On this day men and women wear traditional Malayali attire. Women especially wear Kasavu sarees. During this ten-day festival, various types of cultural programs, sports competitions, dance programs, martial arts, flower rangoli, boat races, prayers, shopping, social gatherings, etc. take place. This festival symbolizes unity.
Athachamayam
Onam celebrations begin with a grand procession called ‘Athachamayam’ at Tripunithura near Kochi, also known as ‘Tripunithura Athachamayam’, on Atham Nakshatra. The route of the procession runs from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple at Thrikkakara in Ernakulam district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Vamana form (fifth incarnation). A large number of pilgrims visit the temple on this day to offer prayers. Idols of King Mahabali and Vamana Deva are also installed at the entrance of every house on Atham.
The grand procession includes decorated elephants, various folk art forms, enthusiastic music groups, beats of drums and other instruments, tableaux and colourfully dressed people wearing masks. The tableaux during the procession include scenes from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
According to historical traditions, the King of Kochi used to lead a grand military procession in royal attire from his palace to the ‘Thrikkakara Temple’, where he would receive the greetings of his people. At present, it is a state government supported programme.
Pookalam (Flower Carpet)
Pookalam or floral rangoli, also known as Onapookkalam or Athapookalam. The traditional Pookalam rangoli is made by gathering colourful flowers, cutting different types of flowers into small pieces and laying them on the floor. This floral rangoli is especially drawn around entrances and temple premises to create a floral mat-like decoration. Diyas are placed in the middle or on the sides of this rangoli.
It is usually made by girls and women. When completed, a small umbrella is made over it, on which small torans are hung. Pookalam is like a rangoli made of powder of different colours. The size of the Pookalam gradually increases on each day of the Onam festival. Across Kerala, Pookkalam competitions are common on Onam day.
Dance and Music
There are mainly five traditional dances performed during the Onam festival. They are Kathakali, Kaikottikali, Kummattikali, Pulikali and Thumbi Thullal. Some of these dances are performed only by women while some are performed only by men. All the dances are unique in their own way, with unique costumes and dance steps.
- Kathakali – Kathakali literally means “story-play”. Kathakali dance is known for its costumes, gestures, makeup and expressions. Performers make extensive use of hand gestures to convey the story. These hand gestures, called mudras, are common in Indian classical dance. Makeup and costumes are an essential part of this art. Kathakali dance is usually performed only by men. Female characters are also portrayed by men wearing women’s costumes. Nowadays women have also started becoming Kathakali dancers.
- Thiruvathirakali or Kaikottikali – This is a unique dance performed on the occasion of Onam in Kerala. It is a popular dance performed by the women of Kerala and is also known as ‘Kummikkali’. Thiruvathira dance is a traditional group performance performed by women around a wick lamp (Neela Vilakku).
- Kummattikali – Kummattikali is a famous colourful mask dance of Kerala state. It is more popular in some northern districts of Kerala like Thrissur, Palakkad and parts of South Malabar. This dance involves a procession of decorated elephants surrounded by Kummattikali dancers. The masked dancers perform the colourful Kummattikali dance and entertain people and collect small gifts. Kummatti is a popular character of Thalla or witch.
- Pulikali (Tiger Dance) – Pulikali-Tiger Dance is a dance that displays courage, bravery and the spirit of war. Its grand performance takes place on the fourth day of Onam. However, small scale Pulikali dance performances are common in the villages and towns of Thrissur and Palakkad in Kerala. In this dance, the performers paint themselves like tigers in bright yellow, red and black colours and dance to the tune of instruments like ‘Chenda’ and ‘Thavil’.
- Thumbi Thullal – Thumbi Thullal is a dance in which only women participate. The women sit in a circle and sing songs in a collective rhythm while clapping and sometimes perform a gaiety dance called Kurvai. The main performer sits in the middle of them. When the woman sitting in the middle enters a trance and begins to dance, the rhythm and clapping becomes louder.
Vallamkali – Boat Race
Vallamkali (snake boat race) is another major event held on Onam. The ‘Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali’ or ‘Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race’ is the famous boat race held on this occasion. A large number of sailors row huge snake-shaped boats. People come from far and wide to watch and cheer the snake boat race. This special event takes place on the holy Pampa River, which is considered as the ‘Ganga of Kerala’.
Aranmula is a village located on the banks of the Pampa River in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The village is famous for the Sri Parthasarathy Temple, which is around 1700 years old and dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna.
The Malayali diaspora in Singapore also organise similar snake boat races in Jurong Lake every year on the occasion of Onam.
Onam Sadhya
Onam Sadhya or a vegetarian feast serving over 60 different dishes is the highlight of this festival. Onam Sadya (feast) is a must-have on Onam, which is prepared by almost every Keralite. Onasadya is prepared with seasonal vegetables available in the season like yam, cucumber, gourd, etc. This meal is traditionally served on banana leaves.
It includes a variety of dishes like banana chips, papad, soups made of various vegetables, thoran, mezhukkupuratti, kalan, olan, avial, sambhar, dal with a little amount of ghee, erissery (pumpkin and lentil stew), moloshyam, rasam, pulissery, khichadi, pachadi, injipuli, moru, pickles (both sweet and sour), and coconut chutney, etc.
At the end of the feast, payasam curry is served with rice, usually ‘Kerala Matta’ boiled rice is preferred in Kerala.
Post Onam Celebrations
All the main events of the Onam festival culminate with Thiruvonam. However, a third Onam is celebrated after Thiruvonam, which is called ‘Avittam’ or ‘Avvittom’. It symbolizes the preparation for the ascension of King Mahabali to heaven. On this day, the ritual of immersion of the Onathappan idol, which was kept in the middle of the Pookalam during the last 10 days, is performed. It is now immersed in nearby rivers or the sea. After this ritual, the Pookalam site will be cleaned and removed.
Moral of Onam
Onam celebration is not just an occasion to celebrate and enjoy. It is also an occasion to remind us of certain moral values. These include – selflessness, the importance of sharing, protecting nature, humility and self-sacrifice, the importance of being devoted to God, the importance of giving charity and the importance of performing one’s tasks in a spirit of sacrifice.
Humility – Despite being a powerful and generous king, King Mahabali was defeated by his ego. Thus, the story of King Bali teaches that humility, compassion and fairness are essential qualities for both rulers and individuals.
Keeping one’s word – King Mahabali kept his word even after sacrificing everything and dedicated himself to fulfilling Vamana’s wish.
Protect nature – Onam is a festival associated with nature, this festival tells the importance of protecting it.
Unity – Onam is a festival that reflects the rich culture, harmony and unity of Kerala. Thus, this occasion is an opportunity for people to connect with their families and communities.
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