Kerala, a state in south India, celebrates Onam with great enthusiasm and is amongst the largest communal festivals in India. This colourful festival has grand celebrations as people from all walks of Keralan life come together to celebrate the return of their legendary King Mahabali! Onam is not an exclusive church festival, but rather a cultural celebration embracing all the traditions of Kerala. It normally occurs in Chingam (August or September), the first month in the Malayalam calendar.
Mythological Significance
The story of Onam’s origin lies with Kerala’s ancient King Mahabali, who was a wise and kind ruler, loved by all. His kingdom prospered, and his citizens enjoyed a life constantly in peace. However, the gods foresaw the threat of Mahabali’s growing power and influence. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu goes to Earth disguised as a dwarf Brahmin, hoping to talk with Mahabali to control his power. He then asks the king for three paces of land.
Mahabali was known for his generosity and so he granted Vamana’s wish. When the latter grew to a giant of unfathomable size, he managed to cover the entire Earth with two steps. For the third step, Mahabali offered his head. Mahabali’s self-sacrifice impressed Lord Vishnu so much that he provided him the power to visit his people once a year. This visit is believed to have happened during Onam when the people expected King Mahabali’s return.
The Fourteen Days of Onam
Each day of the Onam festival has its importance, which is why it is celebrated for ten days. The last four days are when the majority of the celebrations take place.
Atham: Inaugurating the festival marks the arrival of King Mahabali, which is why the first day of Onam starts with his arrival in Kerala. The first step is cleaning the houses and then using flowers and traditional art such as pookalam to decorate the surroundings. The festival is celebrated by first putting a small pookalam in front of the houses.
Chithira to Vishakam – The days after Atham see people preparing for the grand celebrations. Traditions such as worshipping Lord Vishnu in temples remain unchanged. And for everyone, the anticipation of shopping for new clothes is always thrilling. It never fails to excite. Isn’t it unbelievable how one tiny change can instantly alter the whole atmosphere? Well, with the preparation of the celebrations, the atmosphere certainly seems to be filling with anticipation.
Thiruvonam (The Main Day) – The most grand thiruvonam is the tenth and is the biggest day of the onam ceremonies. Dressed in new clothes, people enjoy the famous Onam Sadya, which is a traditional feast. Pookalam designs get stronger and even more delicate with the addition of intricate details. Together with these changes, Onappatukal, which are songs treasured by every Onam are sung along with traditional dances like Thiruvathira. Boat races and bullock cart races alongside other cultural performances with great artistic talent from Kerala are a part ofOnamm festivities too. All of these changes hint at best os, the ones which are believed to bring luck and happiness.
Uthradom: It is the day before the Thiruvonam celebration. People prepare for the day by meeting up with family. Buying gifts, meeting friends, and gathering together for a big feast the next day is basic normal. Uthradom is the day King Mahabali officially sets off on his journey to Kerala. People look eagerly towards his arrival on the day of Thiruvonam.
Onam Traditions and Customs
One amazing feature of Onam is the Sadya. It is served on Amalaka trees by the oceans and eaten together as a family. Many components build the meal which includes; a variety of sweet dishes, rice, varieties of sambar, avial, thoran, olan, and payasam which is the most famous. The ingredients are sourced from the region, alongside the fruits and grains, and because the meal is served in various courses, the Sadya is much more than food. It is a display of Kerala’s unity and kindness.
Along with all the celebrations come a few dances, which are of course, crucial to the festival including the most popular one being Thiruvathira. This dance is performed to celebrate the Onam festival and is performed by women. Women are dressed in a typical Kerala saree, with flowers in their hair and with the sound of beats, perform effortless movements. In addition, the Vallam Kali which is also known as the boat race has a significant role in the Onam celebrations. Competitive teams of rowers race each other in the backwaters of Kerala in traditional snake boats which is a breathtaking show of strategy and power.
Onam festivities are also marked by tree top relays, Kummatti Kali (traditional mask dance), the Onam Tug-of-war, and the Pulikali, which is a rhythmic tiger dance performed by men dressed in striped paint. These vibrant cultural activities showcase the glorious folklore and traditions of Kerala.
Onam Decorations
During Onam, the decorations resembling rangolis made of flowers called pookalam stand out as the most beautiful. A variety of fresh flowers are intricately arranged together which are then placed at the doorsteps of homes to welcome King Mahabali and bring good luck to the house. During the Onam season, Pookalam uses marigold, hibiscus, and jasmine as the main flowers due to their abundance.
In addition to the Pookalam, people decorate their homes with traditional Torans (garland of leaves) and Kazhchappu (stalks of banana plants). These additions are an important part of Onam celebrations since they add stronger festival vibes.
Onam in Contemporary Times
While Onam is still celebrated with a deep connection to its roots, the celebration has changed to suit the modern way of living. In urban regions, Onam is celebrated with cultural programs, large community meals, and festivities at public places. People also take this opportunity to do some shopping by buying sweets, new clothes, and gifts to present to family and friends.
The Onam festival is celebrated among the Malayali groups settled in other countries too, with festivities occurring in places like the US, Canada, the Middle East, and the UK. These celebrations help people to stay connected with their roots so that they come together for traditional dances, songs, and food.
Conclusion
Onam is not only a festival but a celebration of the culture of the state, the well-being of its people, and the values of harmony. It brings families and friends together to appreciate unmatched nature and the blessings of King Mahabali. With all its grandeur and decorations, delicious food, traditional dances, and other cultural festivities, Onam continues to be a cherished and meaningful celebration for Keralites all over the world.