Onam Festival Time, Date, History, Importance and Cultural Celebration
Onam is the most celebrated festival in Kerala in India. It is symbolic of King Mahabali’s and celebrates the Vaman avatar of Lord Vishnu. Every year the people of Kerala observe this festival day. This festival day will be observed on 22 August 2021. It is 10 days long festival day but the main festival day is 22 August 2021. Festivals give us reason to greet and meet our family, friends, and neighbors. The Festival Of Onam Is Celebrated In Chingam.
Time and Date of Onam Festival
Onam is a grand gala of 10 festivals. Onam festival celebrations begin on 22 August 2021 and 31 ends will August 2021.
Onam history and significance 2021
According to rumors, Onam is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali from Patala. The story goes that the demon King Mahabali ruled in Kerala and Everybody loved him very much for his generosity and kindness. This threatened the Gods and they sought Lord Vishnu’s help who disguised himself as a poor Brahmin and headed to Kerala. He said the king to give him that can be covered within three feet and Mahabali granted his will. Soon the Bramon started to fall in big size and covered the sky and earth with his first and second steps. Before he could take his third step, the king offered his head for the last step which led him to Patala. However, the king was granted a blessing for his good deeds to visit his people once every year. Onam marks the day of his annual visit to Earth.
Onam celebration across India
Although Onam is an important festival for Malayali Hindus, all the Community Hindus are observed in this festival with great zeal. The celebration of Onam goes on 10 days and multiple colorful events, starting with Atthachamayam featuring a street parade with folk songs and dance, carnival floats, and decorated elephants walking down the roads. Besides other many festivals include Pookalam (flower arrangement), Pulikali (masked tiger dance), Vallamkali (snake boat race), and other traditional arts and games. Onam Sadya, a nine-course traditional feast, is prepared on the 11th day to honor the return of the king, and the next day, the clay pyramids representing the king called Onathappan are immersed in water and the pookalams are wiped out. The activities continue for one more day.
Rituals of Onam festival
Onam is the rice harvest festival of Kerala. It has its own significance to celebrate this festival of all 10 days.
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 dish called ‘payasam’ is a must during Onam. It is made of rice, milk, sugar, and coconut.
