Onam 2022: What is the significance and how it is celebrated

Onam is a rice harvesting festival which is celebrated in the southernmost state of Kerala. Onam, which symbolises homecoming of demon king Mahabali, is one of the most famous and biggest festival of Kerala and is celebrated all across the state. The festival is celebrated for 10 days and the Keralites show great enthusiasm while celebrating it.

This year, Onam 2022 will be celebrated from 30th August 2022 and will end on 8th September 2022. According to the Malayalam calendar, Onam is celebrated on the day of Thiruvonam nakshatram in the month of Chingam.

As per the story, King Mahabali defeated the gods and started ruling the three worlds. He was a just king and his subjects were prosperous and lived a peaceful life.


Although the demond king belonged to asura tribe, he was loved by his people. This made the gods insecure and they pleaded Lord Vishnu who then stepped in to help gods.

Lord Vishnu took incarnation of Vaman (short Brahmin) and tricked the king into submitting whatever land he had on earth. However, Lord Vishnu was pleased by King Mahabali and blessed him with a boon that he would be able to visit his kingdom once a year. To mark the occasion, Keralites celebrate the Onam festival as the day of the homecoming of their King Mahabali.

Singnificance
Onam marks the beginning of the Malayalam year Kollavarsham. It is a harvest festival as it is the time of year when the people gather a good harvest. The festival is celebrated for 10 days. People perform various festivities and cultural activities during these 10 days.

Rituals
People wear new clothes and worship Thrikkakara appan or Vaman Vishnu Idols.

Women make different “Pookkalam”, or floral designs on the east side ground of their homes. Lamps are also lighted in homes and devotees sing Onam songs.

A swinging ceremony is performed on Thiru Onam, in which a swing is slung on the high branch of a tree.

On the third day, people invite their relatives and friends to gather and celebrate “Onam Sadya”. 13 dishes are cooked and served on Banana leaves.

People take part in the most famous “Vallamkali” or Snake Boat Race.

On the ninth day of Onam, the families give vegetables and coconut oil as gifts to the eldest members of the family which is called “Karanavar”.

On the last day i.e. the tenth day, people visit temples and religious places. people also indulge in tiger dances called Pulikali, Thumbi Thullal or women’s dance ritual, mask dance or Kummattikali and Onathallu or martial arts.