Traditional Rituals of Onam

Onam is the most important festival in Malayali culture and is quite important for the folks of Kerala. Its festivities have been documented as far back as the Sangam period. Onam rituals were first recorded in 800, even during the rule of the Kulasekhara Perumal. It is said that back then, the Onam occasion was observed during the entire month of Chingam. After the wet month of Karkidakam, which carried with it many difficulties, the residents of Kerala celebrate Chingam.

Onam is the Malayalis’ traditional harvest festival. It lasts for ten days during the Chingam (August–September), the 1st month of the Malayalam calendar.

Importance of the festival

Its origins are in Malayali-Hindu myths and legends, and it is a Hindu holiday. Individuals from various castes and ethnicities celebrate Onam, like other religious holidays in India.

Onam’s celebrations occur simultaneously with the festivals of Vishu and Thiruvathira. In honour of the legendary Lord Mahabali, this event is held throughout Kerala. During this day, people revere the deities hoping that Mahabali’s soul will come to Kerala to commemorate the Onam festival and protect the land.

In Kerala, the celebration marks the start of harvest time. It represents the season’s increased vitality and enthusiasm. It is observed with historical passion. This includes going to the temple, spending time with family, exchanging Onakkodi, and having a lot of fun.

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Onam 2022 date

 In 2022, Onam celebrations will begin on August 30 and end on September 8, with ongoing festivities for ten days.

Onam Festival History

King Mahabali, also known as Maveli, and God Vishnu’s avatar, Vamana, are prominent figures in the mythology.

King Mahabali was a mighty, kind, and well-liked Asura King. Mahabali, also known as Balichakravarthi, was the grandchild of Prahalada. Bali was focusing on his citizens’ spiritual and worldly growth and adoration of God. His realm extended to the heavens, the underworld, and the earth’s surface. The deities asked Lord Vishnu for assistance because they were concerned about Mahabali’s growing prominence.

Aditi, the mother of Gods, saw Lord Narayana when he revealed to her. He promised that if she carried out the Vrata with a pure heart, he would be born in her womb and help Indra. So on the 12 days of the brilliant month’s second half of Bhadrapada, Aditi gave birth to a child, Vamana, who shone with exceptional brightness.

During the Yagna, Mahabali, performing the Viswajith sacrifice ceremony, declares that he would grant anyone’s request. In the form of Vamana, Vishnu approached the kind-hearted monarch Mahabali to ask for a plot of land just three paces from his feet. When his wish came true, Vamana grew so large. That he could cover the world with one step and the skies with another. When King Mahabali discovered the Vamana’s deception, he volunteered his head to protect the Keralan populace. The Vamana awarded the monarch the longing to visit Kerala once every year to see his citizens. This was to see if they are happy and flourishing after being moved by the king’s love and compassion for his people. The “Onam” celebration occurs when Mahabali arrives to see his countrymen.

Significance of Onam Festival

 Such are the customs and festivals that prevailed in these ten days:

• Family members dress in fresh “Onakkodi” attire in the early morning hours of Attam. They revere and erect statues of Vaman Vishnu or the Thrikkakara Appan.
• Malayali women paint a variety of “Pookkalam,” or floral patterns, on the eastern edge of their homes. They set off lanterns and sing traditional Onam songs to invite King Mahabali or Maveli (Onappattukal) formally.
• On Thiru Onam, a ritual known as “swinging” takes place in which a swing is hanging from a tall tree limb. Women alternately ride this rose-decorated swing while humming cheerful melodies.
• Families host a large banquet known as “Onam Sadya” for their relatives and friends on the 3rd day of Onam. On banana leaves, they cook at least Thirteen different foods, such as rice, vegetable stew, yoghurt, and payasam (sweet stew). Payasam is a critical Onam Special meal. It is made with milk, rice, sugar, and coconut.
• The well-known “Vallamkali” or Snake Boat Race is staged at several sites. The race at Alappuzha, Kerala, has hundreds of enormous, elaborately adorned boats with at least seven drums. For the chance to see this big Onam case, people travel from all over the nation and the globe.
• The family’s renters and dependencies send vegetables and coconut oil as gifts (Onakazhcha) to the family’s senior person, known as “Karanavar,” on the 9th day of Onam. The Nair sects of Kerala primarily engage in this activity.
• Throughout the Onam festival, particularly on the tenth day, various cultural events and celebrations are noticeable at temples and other sacred spaces. Besides elaborate processions, elephants are present with beautiful adornments.

FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)

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