Onam 2023: All You Need To Know About Onam, Harvest Festival

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Onam 2023: All You Need To Know About Onam, Harvest Festival

Onam is an annual celebration for people in Kerala. It is a harvest festival, which falls in the Chingam month of the conventional Malayalam calendar. People, especially Hindu Keralaties, celebrate this harvest festival to honor the return of the King Mahabali/Maveli. This harvest festival is also acknowledged as Thiruvonam or Thiru-Onam. Its celebrations include an extensive array of cultural events and competitions with delicious and mouthwatering dishes.

Onam 2023

Onam, the harvest festival of Hindu Keralaties, began on the 20th of August and will conclude on 31 August 2023. It is a 10-day celebration, and each day has its own importance. Its beginning indicates the start of a new year, Kolla Varsham. Here is the list of all ten days with brief description of this harvest festival:

Atham - As the first day of Onam, it relates to Athachamayam processions and Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple that takes place all around Kochi. People use yellow flower petals to make the first layer of Athapoo or Pookkalam.
Chithira - On the 2nd day of Onam, people make the 2nd and 3rd layers of Athapoo with the use of yellow and orange flower petals. There is pomp and show.
Chodi - As the 3rd day of Onam, it has an association with the formation of another layer to Pookkalam/Athapoo. While celebrating the 3rd day, people follow the Onakkodi ritual for which they buy new jewelry pieces and outfits/clothes for their close ones.
Vishakam - Being the 4th day of Onam, it relates to the beginning of Onasadya. On this day, people store their new crops in their homes for the entire year after bringing them from their agricultural fields. Further, they cook several different types of delicacies.
Anizham - As the fourth day of Thiru-Onam, it is highly acknowledged for Vallamkali, a conventional boat race that takes place at the Pamba river.
Thriketta - It is the 6th day of Onam and belongs to temple and ancestral home visits. People do these rituals to get their good wishes and blessings. On this day, people decorate Pookkalam/Athapoo with new blooms.
Moolam - Moolam is the 7th day of Onam and relates to offering the Onasadya. People all over Kerala perform Kaikottukali and Pulikali, which are folk dances.
Pooradam - As the 8th day of Onam, it belongs to the addition of new blooms to make Athapoo/Pookkalam bigger. People place the statues of Vamana and king Mahabali at the center of Athapoo/Pookkalam to perform the Pooradam ritual.
Uthradom - It is the 9th day of this harvest festival and relates to the preparations made to welcome King Mahabali’s arrival in the state. People use the newly harvested crops to make delicacies.
Thiruvonam - On the final and most auspicious day of Onam, people across Kerala adorn their houses for King Mahabali’s arrival. They prepare Onasadya or Onam Sandhya fest and invite their loved ones to enjoy it.

Onam 2023 - Date and Time

Onam, which is also known as Thiuvonam or Thiru Onam, started on 20 August and will end on the 31st of August. As per Drik Panchang, this good time of Thiruvonam is as follows:
    • Thiruvonam Nakshatram Start Time: 2:43 am on 29 August
    • Thiruvonam Nakshatram End Time: 11:50 pm on 29 August

Onam 2023 - History and Significance

Onam celebration relates to honoring the King Mahabali/Maveli. As per Hindu mythology, King Mahabali had control over all three kingdoms by defeating gods in the war. King Mahabali was generous, kind, and loving by his nature. Due to their defeat, gods were angry at King Mahabali. They approached Lord Vishnu and requested him to helm them. After being a brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Lord Vishnu visited the king and asked for three feet of land.

Mahabali was known for his kindness and charity. He became ready to produce the land Lord Vishnu wished. By getting bigger in size, Lord Vishnu in Vamana’s avatar measured the whole land and sky in his two steps. Lord Vishnu placed his one foot on Mahabali’s head in the third step. By getting impressed by his generosity and sacrifice, Lord Vishnu blessed Mahabali to rule his kingdom till Kalyuga and visit his favorite state during Onam. This is the reason, Keralaties celebrate Onam every year.

Onam Sandhya - What Is It?

Onam Sandhya or Onasadya or Onasadhya is a part and partial of Onam festival. It continues from the 4th day to the 10th day of this harvest festival. However, it is highly observed on the 10th day of Onam. Sadya or Sadhya is a vibrant fest, which is served on banana leaves and people enjoy having it in groups. The feast serving contains around 26 mouthwatering dishes made using new crops and 60 ingredients. People believe that this feast helps them hold the tradition and keep them united in their community. The primary dishes of Onam Sandhya feast are as follows:
          • Pappadam
          • Upperi
          • Sharkara Varatti
          • Inji Curry
          • Mango Curry
          • Naranga Curry
          • Pachadi
          • Olan
          • Ellisheri
          • Avial
          • Thoran
          • Chor
          • Parripu Curry
          • Chenna Mezhkkupuratti
          • Sambhar
          • Pulissery
          • Kaalan
          • Morru Kachiyatha
          • Kichadi
          • Rasam
          • Kootu Curry
          • Neyy
          • Inji Thayir
          • Poovan Pazham
          • Palada Pradhaman
          • Pazham Pradhaman

Cultural events and rituals on and around Onam Sandhya

From the beginning to the final day, Onam has an association with numerous traditions and rituals. Some significant traditions and rituals are Pookkalam (flowery pattern and layer), boat races (Vallamkali), archery, and Pulikali. And Onam Sandhya or Onasadya is an integral part of Onam and relates to the grand feast on the final day/day 10.

Tags
#Onam
# Onam 2023
# Onam Sandhya
# Onasadya
# Onam traditions
# onam rituals
# ten days of Onam