Happy Onam 2023: Thiruvonam date, time, and significance

Happy Onam 2023: Thiruvonam date, time, and significance

Happy Onam 2023: Onam began on August 20, with Atham and will conclude with Thiruvonam. Thiruvonam marks the end of the Onam celebration, on Thursday, August 31. Onam is a Malayali festival celebrated in the month of Chingam. The festival commemorates the appearance of the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali.

Onam is the most popular festival in the state of Kerala and is celebrated each year in August and September. It is also a major harvest festival.

When is Onam celebrated?

Onam is celebrated on the day of Thiruvonam nakshatram (Shravana asterism) in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam.

If one follows old traditions and honour the adage ‘Atham 10 Onam’, Onam starts from Atham (Hasta) nakshatram, the first day of Onam, and ends on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatram – the most important day of Onam festivities, thus making it a 10-day celebration.

On the English calendar, Onam usually falls in late August or early September.

Onam 2023: Celebration Calendar

The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day (the day when Atham Nakshatra prevails) and continue for 10 days till Thiruvonam day, also the most auspicious day during the festival of Onam. Atham Nakshatra is known as Hasta Nakshatra in other Hindu calendars.

The spiritual significance of Onam

According to mythology, King Mahabali was the greatest king of Kerala and it was during his reign that the local people saw the best of times; prosperity and grandeur ruled everywhere. To end Mahabali’s rule on earth, Lord Vishnu emerged as a Vaman (short Brahmin) and tricked the King to give him whatever land he had. Thereby, King Mahabali was sent to a lower world; but Vishnu also granted him a boon that he could visit his land once every year. Onam celebrates this homecoming of the King.

Rituals of Onam

Onam is the rice harvest festival of Kerala. All the ten days of celebration of Onam have their own significance.

The characteristic floral designs known as ‘pookkalam’ are symbolic of this festival. Usually, women members of the house make different types of patterns on the ground with flowers and lit lamps to invite King Mahabali to their house. People gift and wear new clothes known as ‘Onakkodi’.

Grand feasts are prepared on this occasion. This is known as ‘onam sadya’. Usually, around 13 dishes are prepared for this. The food is served on banana leaves and commonly consists of rice along with different dishes, pickles, and papads. A characteristic sweet dish called ‘payasam’ is a must during Onam. It is made of rice, milk, sugar, and coconut.

Vallamkali or boat race, especially of Snake boats, is an event associated with Onam and is a grand event in Kerala these days. Huge snake-shaped boats rowed by hundreds of oarsmen compete with each other. Huge amounts of cash rewards are distributed as prizes for the winners.

Elephants decorated with ornaments are characteristic of Onam processions.

Thrikkakara appan (Onathappan) or Vaman Vishnu idols are installed at homes for worship.

Different types of cultural activities mark the celebration of Onam which include the traditional Kathakali dance, music, art, and cuisine.

Special dancers painted in yellow and black resembling tigers are seen commonly during Onam performing Pulikali dance. This time of the year is declared Tourism week in Kerala as this is the best time to visit the state.

Onam is of special importance as it unites people of all religions residing in the state. It spreads the message of unity and peace in society.