Onam is a ten-day harvest festival in Kerala and marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. It falls in the month of Chingam (August-September), and the ten days are Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom, and Thiruvonam.
Atham and Thiruvonam are significant festive days, and the ten days are dotted with numerous festivities and cultural programs. People wear traditional new clothes and welcome King Mahabali with a ‘Pookalam’ or a flower carpet at the entrance of their homes.
Traditional dances like Kaikotti kali, Thumbi Thullal, Kathakali, Kummatti kali, and Pulikali form part of the colorful celebrations. Vallamkali, or the snake boat race, is held annually in various places in Kerala during Onam.
‘Onam Sadya,’ or the Onam feast, marks the final day of the celebrations. Numerous delicious dishes are prepared and served. Onam breathes fresh air into the people’s lives, blending nature and life, bringing customs and legends together.
Legends
King Mahabali felt unassailable when he defeated the devas and vanquished Indira from heaven. Aditi, the mother of devas, prayed to Lord Mahavishnu for relief, and she underwent austerities under the direction of her husband Sage Kashyapa. Mahavishnu was pleased with her prayers, and He gave birth to Vamana to subdue the egotistic Mahabali.
Mahabali was engaged in Ashvamedha Yajna when Vamana appeared on the scene and asked for three paces of land measured by his feet.
Mahabali, discarding his guru’s advice, agreed to grant him the land. Vamana now revealed his colossal form, measured earth and heaven by his two steps, and asked Mahabali for a place to put his third one.
Mahabali, having lost all his possessions by this act of the Lord, offered his head as the place for His third step. Mahavishnu was pleased by his humility and truthfulness and offered him numerous boons.
It is said that Mahabali was offered a boon to return to his kingdom once a year, and when he came, he was accorded a grand and ceremonial reception; Onam is the celebration of his return.