Onam

Onam (Malayalam: ) is a festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India.[1] It is also

the Harvest Festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve
(Uthradom) to the fourth Onam Day. It is also a secular festival, celebrated by people of all
religions and castes with the same zeal. The festival falls during the Malayalam month of
Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who
Malayalees consider as their King. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is
considered to be a harvest festival. Also, it is one of the very few festivals that is celebrated with
most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikkali, Pookkalam, Onattappan,
Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Athachamayam etc..

Significance
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.The King is so much
attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see
his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan,
that Onam is celebrated.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung over
Onam:

... (Translation)
Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum
onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla
polivachanam
kallapparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla

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

Onam
The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and
communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an
atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
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 Rituals
The 10 day festival starts off with Aathachamayam (The Royal Parade on Aatham Day) in
Thripunithara (a suburb of Kochi City). The Parade is extremely colour and depicts all the
elements of Kerala culture with more than 50 floats and 100 tableaux. The main center of festival
is at Thrikakkara temple within Kochi City, believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali.
The Temple festival also marks the start of Onam.
The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most
important ones are the first day, Atham and the last or tenth day, Thiru Onam.

The Ten Days of Celebration

Pookalam
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.
1. Atham The first day of Onam Celebrations starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of
Chingam. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from Pathala 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 pookkalam on this day is called as Athapoo and

Onam
is small in size. This will grow in size day after day. Only yellow flowers will be used on this
day and the design will be simple. Also,the statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be installed at
the entrance of each house on this day.
2. Chithira The second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookkalam design
with 2 different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this day,
people start cleaning the household to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.
3.Chodhi 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 buying new clothes and jewellery.
4.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 their 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.
5.Anizham The fifth day of Onam Celebrations, Snake Boats get ready to race in the Aranmula
Uthrattathi Vallamkali. 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.
6.Thriketa The sixth day of Onam Celebrations. By the sixth day, the public frenzy starts
building up. Most of the schools and public offices give holiday from this day onwards and
people start 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.
7.Moolam The seventh day of Onam Celebrations. On the seventh day, the smaller versions of
traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special buffet lunch) start 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 start on this day with heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram City,
Kochi city and Kozhikode along with fireworks.
8.Pooradam The eight day of Onam Celebrations. The day starts off with a major traditional
ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken
around the house in a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookkalam smeared
with a rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who are called Poorada unnikal.
From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan. The pookkalam design from
Pooradam day onwards gets much bigger and complex in design. Shopping is one of the major
activities as the public will be making final purchases for the great Thiruvonam day.
9.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 Uthradappachil and is

Onam
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
onto 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 pookkalam and celebrations in household. The Uthrada lunch is
traditionally very famous. Women normally cut the first set of vegetables on this day that marks
the celebrations of Thiruvonam in each household and preparations for grand Onam buffet start
during the evening of Uthradom day.

Pulikali in Thrissur
10.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 sent to the netherworld ( Pathalam)
by Vamana. The day marks the 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, apply rice flour batter on the
main entrance (a traditional welcome sign), take an 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,
Pookkalam is prepared to welcome Mahabali.
The most important activity of Thiruvonam is the grand Thiruvona-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

Onam
Malayalam that "Kaanam 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 this festival in his own humble way.
The afternoon is marked with various traditional Onam games normally seen in rural areas and
are organized by resident associations, clubs etc. in large cities. In some parts of Kerala, people
indulge in various games and dances during and post thiruvonam. It is known as Onakkalikal and
includes Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali, Pulikali etc. Kummattikali or Kummatti Kali is the
famous colorful-mask dance. People also take part in many kinds of competitions like Ox Race
(Maramadimatsaram), Uriyady, food eating competitions, pookkalam creations etc.
Post Onam celebrations
Normally Onam celebrations end by Thiruvonam. However two following days after
Thiruvonam, are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avvittom
marks the preparations for King Mahabali's ascension to heavens. The main ritual of the day is to
take the Onathappan statue which was placed in the middle of every Pookalam during the past 10
days and immerse it in nearby rivers or sea. The pookkalam will be cleaned and removed after
this. The day is also important, as the famous Pulikali is held in the city of Thrissur. In this, men
dressed as lions and tigers parade through the city in large numbers. The Puli-Kali also marks the
end of traditional Onam celebrations. Fourth Onam is called as Chatayam. The official
government celebrations ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital cityThiruvananthapuram.

The legend
Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada (son of Hiranyakashyapa who was slain by Vishnu in his
Narasimha Avatara). Prahlad, despite being an Asura, had great faith in Vishnu. Mahabali
learned the act of love and devotion to Lord Vishnu as a child, from Prahlada.

Mahabali conquers the three worlds

Kashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi, who were the parents of the demons and the gods
(Asuras and Devas) respectively. Kashyapa, who had gone to the Himalayas to do penance, on
his return found Aditi weeping. By divine insight, Kashyapa instantly recognised the cause of her
grief. He tried to console her saying that nothing happens in the world without divine will and
people should go on doing their duties. He asked her to pray to Vishnu and taught her Payovrata,
a ritual that has to be observed from the 12th day of the bright half of Karthika (Sukla-paksha
Dvadasi). Since Aditi carried out the Vrata with a pious heart, Vishnu appeared before her and
informed her that he would help Indra.
Alternatively, the Devas were very annoyed as Mahabali became the ruler of all the three worlds
having defeated the Devas. Devas, the celestial beings, were annoyed and jealous. [2] The gods

Onam
approached Vishnu and asked for his help. Vishnu said to the Devas that Mahabali is doing good
things to his subjects and is eligible to become sura (devas). You devas should not be jealous
about that. Being jealous would make you asuras. Vishnu decided to test Mahabali.
In the meantime, Mahabali was performing the sacrificial rite of the Viswajith Yagam or
Aswamedha Yagam[3] on the banks of the Narmada River in Brugacham (which is in Bharuch,
Gujarat). He also declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this
Yagam.

Vamana visits Mahabali

Vamana (blue faced dwarf) in the court of king Bali (Mahabali, right seated) seeking alms.
Taking advantage of the Yagam and Mahabali's declaration, Vamana (Vishnu disguised as a
Brahmin) came to the Yaga-shala. As he approached them, the sages assembled there perceived
the extraordinary effulgence form of the young lad. Mahabali went forth to receive the Brahmin
boy with all traditional honours and gave him an eminent seat befitting the status of a holy
person. With the usual courtesy given to the people who come to ask for help, Mahabali told him
that it was his good fortune that Vamana had chosen to honour him with his presence. Whatever
Vamana desired, Mahabali was ready to fulfill. Vamana smiled and said: "You need not give me
anything great. It is enough if you give me that extend of land covered by three footsteps of
mine".
On hearing him, Mahabali's preceptor, Shukracharya (a Daitya priest), who had visions of the
future, told Mahabali that the one who had come to take alms from him was not an ordinary
Brahmin but Lord Vishnu Himself having assumed this form. He advised Mahabali not to
promise the lad anything. But Mahabali was a king who would never go back on his word,
considering it sinful to do so. Shukracharya insisted that he should not fulfill the demand of
Vamana as he had come to deprive him of all his possessions.

Onam

Onappottan, in traditional costume is a custom in northern parts of Kerala. Onappottan visits

houses during the onam and gives blessings. Of late onappottan has become a rare sight,
confined to villages.
Mahabali, determined to honour his promise, begged the pardon of his Guru for disregarding his
advice. Earlier, while Mahabali was embarking on the war with Indra, he had prostrated at the
feet of his preceptor, Shukracharya, and on his advice had he started the Vishwajith Yagam from
which he secured some very powerful weapons. It was only because of Shukracharya's help that
he was able to conquer Indra. Mahabali's refusal angered Shukracharya. He cursed Mahabali,
saying: 'As you have not heeded your Guru's words, you will be reduced to ashes'. Mahabali was
firm and replied: 'I am prepared to face any consequence but will not go back on my word'.

Mahabali's reign ends

Saying so, he asked Vamana to measure the desired three feet of land. All attempts of
Shukracharya to dissuade Mahabali proved futile. Mahabali considered everyone who came to
him for help as god himself and never refused them anything. Mahabali told his Guru: "Prana
(life) and Maana (honour) are like the two eyes of a person. Even if life goes, honour should be
protected. Knowing that the person that has come now is the Lord Himself, I should be the most
fortunate one as the Lord, who gives everything to mankind, is seeking something from me."
Mahabali gladly said that even if Vishnu himself were to come to his sacrifice and ask for
anything, he would deliver it.[4]

Onam

Vamana as Tri-vikrama (victor of the three worlds) triumphing over Bali

Vamana grew in size until he towered above the heavens. With one footstep, he measured all of
the earth. With the second, he claimed all of heaven. There was still one foot of territory that
Mahabali owed him. Mahabali requested Vamana to place the final step on his head as the third
step of land, for he had no other left. Vamana did so and in doing so, sent him down to Sutala,
the heaven-like underworld. The site where he placed his foot is said to be the village of
Thrikkakara (meaning place of the holy foot), and is the centre of the renowned Onam festival
celebrated in relation to the legend of King Mahabali.

Vishnu's blessings
For the devotion of this daitya, Mahabali, Lord Vishnu (Vamana) granted him rule over the
underworld. It was also granted that he would hold the position of Indra for one Manvantara,
thus fulfilling his devotee's desire (the office of Indra being a rotating position, changing every
Manvantara).
As a last gift, Mahabali was granted permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites
celebrate the Onam festival to commemorate the memory of the Great King Mahabali who
would keep his promise to visit. Mahabali fulfilled his name as the great martyr for the sake of
Truth ("Satya"). The name "Mahabali" itself means Great Sacrifice.
During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered
reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Mahabali's flawless reign.
People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the
significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts
and feelings. People forgetting their sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome the auspicious
'Thiruvonam' day.

Alternate Legend
By traditional beliefs; Parasurama, an incarnation of Vishnu is credited to have founded Kerala.
An alternate legend defines Onam as the day on which Parasurama recovered Kerala from the

Onam
sea-bed by throwing his battle-axe. The axe traveled from Gokarnam in the North to
Kanyakumari in the South.[5][6] This legend is mentioned by Hermann Gundert in his Malayalam
Dictionary.[5]

Sri Padmanabha's birthday

The birthday of the Presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram is on the Thiruvonam day in the
month of Chingam.

Onam legacy
Thiruvathira Kali during Onam in Kerala

Children making traditional pookkalam

Onam comes in the month of "Chingam" which is the first month according to the Malayalam
Calendar. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome King Mahabali. There will
be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating this
ten days with pomp and gaiety. They wear new dresses, visit as many temples as they can,
perform dances like Thiruvadhira kali Thumbi Tullal etc. to name a few.
Onam is celebrated with a focus on different cultural aspects at different places. Athachamayama cultural procession takes place in the royal town of Tripunithura near Ernakulam-Kochi, on the
Atham day of Chingam, which also marks the beginning of Onam celebrations. At the
Vamanamoorthy temple in Thrikkakara, the annual temple festival coincides with Onam. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of
Onam.
Onam Pookkalam is considered as a symbol for secularism. Various kinds of flowers combine
together to form a great-looking pookkalam. So, it shall reflect those old good days during King
Mahabali. It's a great pleasure for people in Kerala to make Pookkalam from Atham to
Thiruvonam, especially for children.
The celebrations begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year and go on for ten days.
The last day called the Thiruvonam is the most important. All over the state, rituals along with
new clothes, traditional cuisine, dance, and music mark this harvest festival.

Onam
At Valluvanad (mainly Ottapalam, Shornur regions), Kathakali dancers in gorgeous costumes
enact the legends. A strikingly impressive procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out at
Thrissur, where masked dancers also go from house to house performing the colorful
Kummattikali dance. At Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact
scenes from epics and folk tales. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during
Onam season. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of
instruments like Udukku and thakil.
At Aranmula, during Onam days the famous Aranmula Vallam Kali is conducted.
The swing is another integral part of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young men and
women, decked in their best, sing Onappaatt, or Onam songs, and rock one another on swings
slung from high branches.

Onam activities

A typical onam sadya

The most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new clothes worn on this day and
onam sadya, a feast which is quite elaborate. This is usually a feast served on banana leaves and
serves rice along with at least an array of 4 dishes. Traditional pickles and papadam are also
served. Dessert is usually 'payasam', a sweet dish made of milk, sugar and other traditional
Indian savories.
During Onam, people create a multi-coloured floral decoration on the ground in the front of their
home called pookkalam. Young children especially girls are often entrusted with the task of
gathering and laying out the flowers in elaborate patterns. Competitions are held on onam day to
create this floral design. It is usually 1.5 m in Diameter usually in circular shape. A lamp is
usually placed as part of the design. In the recent years, the floral designs have evolved from the
traditional circular shape to unique designs depicting different cultural and social aspects of
Kerala life.
The Vallamkali (the snake boat race) is another event that is synonymous with Onam. Wellknown races include the Aranmula Boat Race and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. About 100
oarsmen row huge and graceful snake boats and men and women come from far and near to
watch the snake boats skim through the water.

Onam
During the Onam, Keralite Hindus install an image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of
Vamana) in their home just as Hindus install images or murtis of Lord Ganesh on the Ganesh
Chaturthi festival.
Many lamps are lit in Hindu temples of Kerala during this celebration.[7] A palmyra tree is
erected in front of temples and surrounded with a wooden balustrade and covered with dry
palmyra leaves.[7] It is lit with a torch and burned to ashes to signify that Mahabali went to hell as
a sacrifice.[7]