Thiru Onam – Kerala’s State Festival – 31st August 2020

 

Onam is a festival of 10 + 2  days – the last four days are important days of the festival – First Onam – on 30th August 2020, Second Onam – viz. Thiruvonam –on 31st August 2020, Third Onam – on 1st September, 2020 and Fourth Onam – on 2nd September, 2020.

In Onam’s Preparation. 

8th Day of Onam Festival begins with the ritual of installing clay statues of Mahabili and Vamana commonly called Onathappam in the centre of Pookalam -  The Onapookalam is nothing but a floral carpet that's decorated with flowers and petals. It is filled with several varieties of flowers – adding more flowers as every day progresses in those 10 days of Onam - forming patterns on the floor of central entrances. Pookalam is very similar to Rangoli.

Installation of these clay statues symbolizes an invitation to Mahabali and Vamana to visit each house the next day.

9th Day of Onam is believed to synchronize with Mahabali’s arrival in Kerala and 10th Day which is Thiruvonam is believed to be the day of King Mahabali’s visits to each house to bless every family in Kerala.

The Pookalam with additional flowers being added with each day of Onam is completed with Thiruonam – 10th day and the Onasadya feast is an important one wherein varieties of  dishes are served in plantain leaves. The celebrations are incomplete without the delicious Onasadya.  A characteristic sweet dish called ‘payasam’ is a must during Onam. It is made of rice, milk, sugar and coconut. During Onam Festival, Traditional Dances of Kerala – viz.  Kathakali is performed apart from other dances such as Thiruvathira, Pulikali, Kummattikali, Thumbi Thullal, Onam Kali.

Thiruvathirakali is a popular dance form performed by women on the day of Onam. This is accompanied by Thiruvathira Paattu which are the folk songs of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The group of women dance around the Nilavilaku (a standing lamp) showing the grace of the feminine.

Although Thiruvonam is the main occasion, the following days - Avittom (third onam) and Chatayam (fourth onam) are also considered as days of Onam. Preparations for Mahabali's departure are undertaken, and the Pookalam is cleared. The clay statues of Onathappan is immersed in the river or the sea.

It is believed as per Hindu legends that Onam commemorates King Mahabali, who was believed to be the descendant of a Brahmin sage named Kashyapa, the great-grandson of Hiranyakashipu, and the grandson of Prahlada, who was devoted to Lord Vishnu. The scriptures suggest that Onam is the grand annual homecoming of King Mahabali.

 

According to Hindu Mythology, Mahabali took over the three worlds by defeating the Gods (Devas). In Vaishnavism, the Devas approached Lord Vishnu to help them in the battle against Mahabali, Vishnu refused considering Mahabali being a good ruler and his devotee. Mahabali performed a Yajna after his victory over the Gods and had to grant anyone any request. Lord Vishnu took this opportunity to test Mahabali's devotion and approached Mahabali in the avatar of a dwarf boy called Vamana.

The king offered everything he could to the boy, but Vamana refused and said one must not seek more than one's needs and all he needed was three-paces. Mahabali, although surprised by the boy's wish, agreed to grant it. Vamana grew and covered the land and water with one foot and the sky with another foot, now to place his third-foot Mahabali offered himself. Vamana trampled Mahabali down to Pathala (hell) but pleased by his devotion offered him a boon to visit his land every year. The revisit of Mahabali marks the festival of Onam.  Thripunithara that's dedicated to Vamana the avatar of Vishnu.

Happy Healthy Wealthy Onam  to All Throughout Their Life Here There Everywhere.

Post Script – Brief Details about 10 days of Onam:

Atham (22 August 2020) : On the day of Atham, festivities begin at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi, where a grand procession is held called as Athachamayam. The day marks the preparations of the visit of Mahabali to his Kingdom. This is followed by the laying of Pookalam which is made of only yellow petals. The Pookalam on Atham is known as Athapoo which is made of only one layer that gets added on progressively as each day of Onam passes. Statues of Mahabali and Vamana are placed on the courtyards that are dung-plastered in front of the house.

Chithira (23 August 2020) : On the second day of Onam, two more layers of orange and creamy yellow flowers are added to the Pookalam. People clean their houses and visit temples on this day.

Chodhi (24 August 2020) : The third day of Onam is when people buy new clothes otherwise called as Onakkodi. Women dress up in Kasavi Saree, and men purchase mundu while young girls wear Pattu Pavada. Families go shopping as well as gift each other jewels and clothes. The third layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam as well.

Vishakam (25 August 2020) : This day is considered as the most auspicious as the Onasadya preparations commence. The woman in the family stock up ingredients from the market. Usually, markets hold their harvest sale during this period making Kerala markets the busiest place. The dishes go up to 26 - 30 in different families. After all, Onasadya is all about filling the plantain leaf with dishes until there's no space left.

Anizham (26 August 2020) : The Vallamkali or Snake boat races flag-off on the Pamba River and the Pookalam grow bigger.

Thriketa (27August 2020) : Fresh flowers are added to the Pookalam and families visit their ancestral homes and spend some time, exchange gifts etc.

Moolam (28 August 2020): Most temples start offering Onasadya on this day. Families prepare a shorter version of the Sadya. The Pulikali and Kaikottukali are performed at various places in Kerala. The state starts getting colourful and busy with celebrations.

Pooradam (29 August 2020): The day begins with the ritual of installing clay statues of Mahabali and Vamana commonly called Onathappam in the centre of Pookalam. They are the representation of Mahabali, and fixing these statues symbolises an invitation to Mahabali to visit each house. By now the Pookalam is much bigger and complex.

Uthradam (30 August 2020): This is considered as the Onam even when the preparations reach its zenith. The devotees fully prepare themselves to welcome King Mahabali the next day.

Uthradam/First Onam (30 August 2020) : This day is the eve of Onam and considered as the First Onam. It is the most auspicious day to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. According to traditional beliefs, Mahabali arrives in Kerala on this day. Hence, people clean their houses and do their final Onam shopping.

Thiruvonam Onam 2020 (31 August 2020) : The main day of Onam festival when people apply rice flour batter on the entrance of their houses as a traditional welcome sign, take a shower and dress up in new clothes and also distribute alms to the poor and needy. This is the day King Mahabali visits each home and blesses every family in Kerala. The Pookalam is completed perfectly, and the families gather to feast on the Onasadya.