Onam 2024: Date, Time, History, Significance of Kerala's Harvest Festival

When it comes to celebrating the rich culture and traditions of Kerala, no festival stands out more than Onam. Onam, the grand harvest festival of Kerala, is a time of immense joy and cultural celebration in the state. This vibrant festival, rooted in ancient tradition, brings together people of all communities to celebrate the bountiful harvest, rich cultural heritage, and the return of King Mahabali.

This vibrant festival, which typically falls in the month of August or September, is a time of grand festivities, colourful decorations, and deep-rooted traditions. But what exactly is Onam? What is its history, and why is it so significant to the people of Kerala?

Onam 2024 Date and Time

According to the Kerala Tourism portal, “Medam and Chingam are two agriculturally significant seasons in Kerala. Farming activities start in the month of Medam and the harvest season is Chingam which is generally celebrated as Onam.”

Onam is a ten-day festival, with the most significant day being Thiruvonam, which marks the culmination of the festival. In 2024, Thiruvonam is expected to be on Sunday, September 15. The festival begins with Atham on Thursday, September 5, and continues through various rituals and festivities until Thiruvonam. The timings of the Thiruvonam Nakshathram will begin at 08:32 pm on September 14, 2024, and end at 06:49 pm on September 15, 2024.

History of Onam

Onam’s roots trace back to the ancient legend of King Mahabali, a mighty ruler of Kerala. According to mythology, “Mahabali, the mythical beloved king of Kerala, visits his subjects on the day of Thiruvonam after ascending from the netherworld. Mahabali, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was the son of Virochan and the grandson of Prahalad. He was a righteous and charitable man and treated all his subjects equally. There was no poverty, crime, or cruelty during his rule. Despite Mahabali being a demon king, the state was at its most glorious phase and his people adored him. Mahabali’s fame grew with each passing day which enraged the devas. Afraid of losing power, they begged Lord Vishnu to aid them in stopping Mahabali”, states Kerala Tourism.

Lord Vishnu, taking the form of Vamana Avatar approached Mahabali and requested three paces of land. The king, known for his generosity, granted the request. Vamana then grew to an enormous size, covering the earth and heavens with two steps. For the third step, Mahabali offered his head, which Vamana accepted, pushing him to the netherworld. And because, due to his devotion and good deeds, Mahabali was granted the boon to visit his kingdom and people once a year, which is celebrated as Onam.

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Significance of Onam

Onam holds immense cultural and religious significance in Kerala. It is a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the Malayalam calendar year, known as Kollavarsham. Onam is also a time when the people of Kerala celebrate the annual visit of their beloved King Mahabali. The festival symbolises the return of the golden age of prosperity, peace, and happiness under Mahabali’s reign.

The festival is characterised by elaborate rituals, cultural programs, and grand feasts, collectively known as Onasadya. The Onasadya served on a banana leaf, is a highlight of the celebrations and consists of a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes, including rice, sambar, rasam, and payasam.

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How Onam Is Celebrated

Onam is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across Kerala, transcending religious boundaries. The festival begins with Atham and includes several traditional activities such as Pookalam (floral rangoli), Vallamkali (snake boat race), Pulikali (tiger dance), and Kaikottikali (a traditional dance). Each day of the festival has its own significance and set of rituals, as per the Malayalam calendar.

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