Onam 2024: Date, Significance and Celebrations

Onam is one of Kerala’s most important festivals, celebrating the harvest season and the return of the legendary King Mahabali. It is a time of joy, family gatherings and cultural traditions, celebrated by all communities in Kerala.

The date of the Onam Festival varies according to the Gregorian Calendar, but it usually falls in August or September. It is New Year’s Day according to the Malayalam calendar.

Onam is the national festival of Kerala. It spreads the message of peace and unity among all communities of Kerala. Onam falls during the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar.

Onam is a 10-day-long harvest festival that stands out among other festivals for its togetherness, colourfulness, enthusiasm, and variety of activities. This ancient festival has been written by Sangam-era Tamil poets, numerous texts from the 6th to the 16th centuries and visiting foreign travellers.

Onam 2024 Thiruvonam Date Malayalam Calendar

The celebrations of the Onam festival are spread over ten days, with each day having a name, which is Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam. The first and the last days are particularly important.

Onam 2024 Timings Nakshatra

The timings of Onam 2024 are given below.

10 Days of Onam

1. Atham: Celebrations begin with floral designs (Pookalam) and prayers.
2. Chithira: Homes are cleaned and the Pookalam gets bigger.
3. Chodhi: New clothes are bought and Pookalam expands.
4. Vishakam: Markets are busy and feast preparations start.
5. Anizham: Famous Snake Boat Races (Vallamkali) take place.
6. Thriketa: Families gather for the celebrations.
7. Moolam: Traditional dances like Kaikottikali and Pulikali are performed.
8. Pooradam: The Pookalam reaches its full size.
9. Uthradam: Families prepare for the grand Onam feast.
10. Thiruvonam: The main day, celebrated with a grand feast (Onasadya) and festivities.

Onam History

The legendary king related to the festival of Onam is King Mahabali. Mahabali was the grandson of the famed Vishnu devotee Prahlada, who was saved by Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha Avatar. Mahabali was a powerful king who even defeated the Devtas and conquered the three worlds.

Helpless and desolate, the Devtas approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu refused to use violence against Mahabali, who was a good king and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. But a way out had to be found to restore the Devtas Kingdom.

Victory of Mahabali

Mahabali held a grand Yagya after his victory over the three worlds and declared he would grant any wish to anyone during the ritual. Lord Vishnu appeared in His fifth avatar—that of a dwarf named Vaman. After the Yagya was over, Vaman reminded Mahabali of the promise made.

Mahabali offered gold, silver, land, elephants or anything else Vaman wanted. Vaman asked for as much land as could be covered by three steps (paces). Mahabali agreed. Vaman then grew to an enormous size and covered all of Mahabali’s kingdom in two steps.

Mahabali realitime, zed Vaman was none other than Lord Vishnu and offered his head to step on. Pleased with this act of devotion, Lord Vishnu granted Mahabali the boon of being able to visit his former kingdom once a year.

Mahabali visits the land that he ruled over once a year at the time now known as Onam. He stays for ten days during which festivities are non-stop. Onam celebrates the righteousness of Mahabali.

Onam Celebration

Atthachayaman and Pookallam 

The day starts with a grand procession known as Athachamayan. The parade has elephants marching to the music of drums, followed by floats with various themes. Scores of colourfully dressed people with masks accompany the parade.

Onam Dance

Traditional dance forms are very much a part of Onam. Onam dances include Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulkali, Thumbi Thullal and Kathakali. Onam Kali is a dance form with themes based on the Ramayana and other religious texts. The making of flower arrangements is known as pookalam.

These are made at house entrances, temples, etc. A lighted lamp (Diya) is placed in the centre. Murtis of Mahabali and Vaman are kept near entrances. Pulkali or Kaduvakali (Tiger Dance), in which performers are dressed or painted like tigers and dance accompanied by the music of Chenda and Thakil. This is done mainly in Thrissur.

Onam Snake Boat Race, Vallamkali

The snake boat race is very popular. These are organized mainly on the sacred Pampa River and viewed and cheered on by thousands.

Onam Sadhya

Besides these ways of celebrating, Onam Sadya is also an important part of Onam celebrations. These feats consist of 30 or more dishes served on plantain leaves. The dishes include Pappadam, Upperi, Sharkara Varatti,  Inji Curry,  Mango Curry, Naranga Curry, Rasam, and more delicious items.

Return of King Mahabali to Heaven

The two days following Thiruvonam are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avittom, marks the preparations for King Mahabali’s return to heaven.

Onam is not only celebrated in India but in other parts of the world by the Malayali diaspora. Celebrations are held in the USA, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, UK, and other countries.

Onam Wishes in Malayalam

• സന്തോഷത്തിൻ്റെയും സമൃദ്ധിയുടേയും ഈ ഓണനാളുകളിൽ നിനക്കും കുടുംബത്തിനും സന്തോഷവും ആരോഗ്യവും നേരുന്നു. ഓണത്തപ്പൻ്റെ അനുഗ്രഹം നിങ്ങൾക്കെന്നും ഉണ്ടായികട്ടെ!
• ഓർമ്മകളുടെ പൂക്കാലം വിരിയിക്കാൻ സമ്പത്സമൃതിയുടെ ഓണനാളുകൾ വരവായി. എല്ലാവർക്കും ഓണാശംസകൾ!
• ഓണപൂക്കളങ്ങളിൽ നിറയുന്ന ശോഭയാർന്ന പൂക്കൾ പോലെ, നിങ്ങളുടെ ജീവിതം മനോഹരവും സുഗന്ധപൂരിതവുമാകട്ടെ. വിശാലമായ ഓണവിരുന്നു പോലെ, ഈ വർഷത്തെ മുഴുവൻ ദിനങ്ങളും നിങ്ങൾക്ക് നല്ലത് മാത്രം വന്നുചേരട്ടെ. ഹാപ്പി ഓണം!
• ഓണം എവിടെ നിറഞ്ഞെങ്കിലും, അത് കുടുംബത്തെ കൊണ്ടുനിർമ്മിതമായ അദ്വിതീയമായ സന്തോഷത്തിന്റെ സമാനമാണ്. ഈ ഓണത്തിന് നിന്റെ കുടുംബം, സ്നേഹിതർ, എല്ലാ അനുയായികൾക്കുമായി സന്തോഷം നിറഞ്ഞ ഒരു ദിനം വരികയും, ഒരുപാട് സമൃദ്ധി ലഭിക്കട്ടെ.
• “ജീവിതത്തിൽ ധാരാളം പ്രതീക്ഷകളും വെളിച്ചവും നൽകാൻ ഈ ഓണത്തിന് കഴിയട്ടെ, ഓണാശംസകൾ”
• എത്ര അകലെയാണെങ്കിലും മലയാളത്തിന്റെ തനിമ എന്നും നിങ്ങളുടെ ഉള്ളിലുണ്ടാകട്ടെ, ഏവര്‍ക്കും ഓണാശംസകള്‍ !