Traditional Rituals of Onam-InstaAstro

Onam Festival 2024 Dates, Rituals and Significance

Do you know the most exciting days of Kerala? During Onam festival, the 10 to 12-day festival, the state comes alive with flower decor, trumpets, boat races, music and dance performances, lights, etc. As the Onam 2024 date is knocking on our doors, let’s learn all about it in detail.

When Is Onam Or Thiruvonam 2024?

The main Onam 2024 date, which is officially a holiday, is Sunday, September 15th. However, the ritual associated with the Onam festival this year starts on Thursday, September 6th, and will continue until Tuesday, September 17th.

Below are different rituals associated with Thiruvonam 2024 between September 6th and 17th.

Onam Dates 2024

Day 1: 06 September 2024 – Atham
Day 2: 07 September 2024 – Chithira
Day 3: 08 September 2024 – Chodi
Day 4: 09 September 2024 – Vishakam
Day 5: 10 September 2024 – Anizham
Day 6: 11 September 2024 – Thriketa
Day 7: 12 September 2024 – Moolam
Day 8: 13 September 2024 – Pooradam
Day 9: 14 September 2024 – Uthradam or First Onam
Day 10: 15 September 2024 – Thiruvonam Onam (Main Onam)
Day 11: 16 September 2024 – Avittom or Third Onam
Day 12: 17 September 2024 – Chatayam or Fourth Onam

What Is Onam Festival?

Also known as Thiruvonam, Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in India during the Chingam period (August – September), mainly in Kerala. The Thiruvonam 2024 date marks the celebration of Lord Mahabali, a powerful deity. People believe that God Vishnu gave Sri Mahabali the boon to arrive on Earth once a year to see its devotees and bless them.

Therefore, people welcome Lord Mahabali through a 10-12 day celebration with a specific ritual attached to each day. Pookalam, the floral Rangoli, is the festival’s highlight and is found at the entrance of each Keralite during the Onam period. This festival also welcomes the harvest season, when people thank the land for the good returns.

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Significance Of Onam – The Festival Of Harvest

As the holy 2024 Thiruvonam date is approaching, everyone must understand the importance of this festival and rejoice in the spiritual experience of its festivities. Let us have a brief look into the significance of Onam:

Although Onam originated in Kerala, it is celebrated worldwide and is believed to attract the favour of Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahabali.
Like every year, the Onam festival this year will bring a sense of unity and togetherness as people religiously join hands to make the ten-day festival memorable.
People see the Thiruvonam festival as a significant time when people thank the land for giving a good harvest. Hence, it is agriculturally important.
The Onam brings happiness and joy as people decorate houses, make flower rangolis and showcase their cultural dances and songs.

Onam Pooja Vidhi – The Rituals Of Thiruvonam

Make your Onam festival this year meaningful by keeping a check on all Onam rituals rightly followed. But before that, mark the date of when is onam correctly. The Onam Puja Vidhi for the 10-12 days of this festival are as follows:

On the first Thiruvonam 2024 date, called Atham, visit Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi. Then, start designing Pokallam, the floral rangoli with yellow and orange flowers at the temple and at the home entrance.
On the second, third, and fourth days, add new circles to Pokallam (Chithira), buy new clothes (Chodi), and thank the land for the good harvest (Vishakam).
On the fifth, sixth and seventh days, we have the famous boat racing (Vallamkali) on Anizham Day, visiting family and lighting homes on Thriketa and Onasadya, the famous meal served on Moolam.
Next, on the eighth day (Pooradam), install clay pyramid-shaped statues of Lord Vamana (Vishnu) and Mahabali (Onathappan) in your home’s courtyard. On the ninth day, clean the house and shop for vegetables and fruits (Uthradam or Mahabali day of arrival).
Next comes the grand day, the main 2024 Thiruvonam date. On this day, complete your Pokallam, put flour batter at the entrance and donate food to the needy. People also perform traditional dances like Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali, Onam Kali and the famous Pulikali or Leopard dance.
The 11th and 12th days (Avittom and Chatayam) are the third and fourth Onam. The 11th day marks the immersion of Onathappan in holy waters, cleaning the Pokallam, bidding farewell to Lord Mahabali, and sending him back to Patal. The 12th day honours the continued celebration through dances and feasts.

History and Origin Of Onam

The origin of Onam takes us back to the story of King Mahabali, whose homecoming we see during the festival. King Mahabali was a kind-hearted ruler who had an immense hold on the three worlds—Heaven, Earth, and Patal Lok. This tensed the devas, especially Indra. The devas requested Lord Vishnu to remove his powers.

Lord Vishnu took the form of a Vamana (a dwarf) and begged him for a 3-step city. The generous Mahabali agreed. But soon, the Vamana grew in size, covering the Earth, the heaven and his head. Hence, Mahabali goes to Patala. But his good nature impressed Vishnu, who blessed him with the chance to visit his city, Kerala, once a year, naming it Onam.

FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. When is Onam festival?

Onam festival happens during the Chingam period, i.e. between the month of August and September. In 2024, the main Onam will take place on the 15th of September.

2. How many days Onam is celebrated?

The Onam festival is celebrated over a period of 10 to 12 days. The tenth day marks the main Onam, and the next two days are spent in sending away goodbye to Lord Mahabali.

3. How is Onam celebrated?

Onam started with a floral Rangoli design at the home entrance, which is updated each day until the Thiruvonam, the main day. Next, people install pyramid-shaped idols in the name of Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahabali. Later, the idols are immersed in holy water on the second last day.

4. What's special about the Onam feast?

The famous Onam feast, called the Onasadya, is a grand meal served on a banana leaf during the festival. It has great cultural significance as it serves as a celebration of good harvest as well as the arrival of Lord Mahabali.

5. How do people dress for Onam?

During the Thiruvonam festival, people usually dress up in traditional Kerala attire. The men wear the Mundu while the women wear the Kasavu Sari.

6. What's the story behind Onam?

Onam celebrates the homecoming of Lord Mahabali as he visits the Earth once a year during this period. This festival aligns with the harvest season as well, and therefore, it is culturally and agriculturally significant.

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