Onam, the annual ten-day harvest festival of Kerala, is one of the best times to visit the state. God’s Own Country comes alive in these ten days that start with the Athachamayam and end with Thiru Onam celebrations. Let us have a look at how the Keralites celebrate the Onam.
Day 1- Atham
Atham is the first day of festivities in the ten-day-long Onam carnival. The day of Atham comes ten days before Thiru Onam hence Atham is regarded holy and auspicious by the traditional people of Kerala.
The first day of Onam celebration starts with people visiting the temples in the morning. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from Pathala (netherworld) to Kerala on this day.
The Onam celebrations across the state called Atthachamayam, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi, the place where Mahabali is believed to have been banished from earth.
The traditional ritual of laying Pookalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day. The size of Pookalam on this day is called as Athapoo and is small in size and the size increases with each passing day of the festival. Only yellow flowers will be used on this day and the design will be simple.
Day 2- Chithira
Chithira is the second day of celebrations in the ten-day-long Onam festivities. There are not any marked rituals for the day but people offer their prayers to evoke divine blessings.
On this day people starts cleaning their houses and a second layer to the Pooklam is added.
Day 3 – Chodhi
On the third day of the festival the Pookalam starts growing in size as several other layers of different flowers are added.
Third day of the ten-day-long carnival of Onam is called Chothi or Chodi. The day is marked by buzz and lot of activities. Frenzied shopping can be witnessed in the market place all over the state as everybody buys new clothes and accompanying accessories for the grand festival of Onam. Gifts are also procured for everyone in the house including the servants.
Day 4 – Vishakam
Vishakam is considered to be one of the most auspicious day of the Onam. Women who have to prepare the elaborate meal of Onasadya on Thiruvonam, gets engaged in the prior preparations on Visakam. Making of various types of pickles and pappadams (papad) besides various other things begins now.Preparation of Onam sadhya begins with each member of the family contributing something to it.
Although the number of dishes vary from family to family but most of them make 26 delicacies. In olden days, the markets open their harvest sale on this day, making one of the busiest days in the markets for public.
Day 5 – Anizham
On the fifth day, High point of the day is the grand Snake Boat Race event called Vallamkali, which takes place on the fifth day of the Onam. The hugely popular competition happens on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmulla. A multitude of domestic and international tourists come to witness the colourful spectacle of the race.
A large number of long snake like boats called chundan vallams participate in Vallamkali. Each picturesquely decorated boat is oared by hundreds of oarsmen dressed in the traditional dhoti and turban. Boats are oared on the rhythm of vanchipattu or boat songs. Vallamkali is essentially a team event as a single mistake by a oarsman can lead to overturning of the boat.
Day 6 – Thriketa
By the sixth day, the Pookalam gets very large with atleast 5 to 6 flowers added to the original design. Families visit their ancestral home and exchange gifts with their dear ones.
Cultural programmes and social gatherings are organised by various cultural societies all over the state. People of all religions caste and creed participate in these events as the festival of Onam has come to be seen as a secular festival
Day 7 – Moolam
Moolam is filled with festivities as families visit each other and 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. Some people also decorate a swing with flowers to celebrate the king’s homecoming.
Day 8 – Pooradam
On this day small statues of Mahabali and Vamana are taken around the house and put in center of the Pookalam. This is the day when Mahabali is finally invited to visit houses of people. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan.
The Pookalam design gets much bigger and complex from this day onwards.
Day 9 – Uthradam
This day is considered as Onam eve. This is the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.
There is jubilation all around as people prepare to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali. In some regions of Kerala festivities of Onam starts in a full fledged way from Utradam itself. It is a public holiday on that day. Some people also call Utradam as the first Onam and the next day Thiru Onam as the second Onam.
On the day of Utradam tenants and dependents of Nayar Tarawads (traditional large joint families sharing a common kitchen) bring produce of their farms or the product of their toil to the Karanavar (eldest member of the Tarawad). These gifts from the tenants to the Karanavar are called Onakazhcha. Karanavar greets these people warmly and treats them with a sumptuous meal on Thiru Onam. Village artisans also bring their handicrafts to the Karanavar and are graciously rewarded.
Traditional myths say that the king will spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom and blessing the subjects.
Day 10 – Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam Aashamsakal ! The enchanting state of Kerala reverberates with the chants of Onaashmsakal, “To everyone, Onam Wishes” as people exchange warm greetings of the occasion on the tenth and the most important day of the carnival of Onam. People believe that it is on Thiru Onam that the spirit of legendary King Mahabali visits the state of Kerala.
Thiruvonam is the final day of Onam festival. People clean their houses, 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.
Most cities in Kerala are lit up with lights and fabulous displays of fireworks. Sumptuous Onam Sadya feasts are prepared.
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 (Onakkalikal) during and post Thiruvonam.
Must read The Coast of Ganesha, Six temples of Coastal Karnataka
