Onam – the biggest festival of Malayalis – has begun. The festival is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam solar calendar. According to the English calendar, this year Onam began on 25 August and will end on 4 September.
The festival sees jubilant celebrations among the Malayalis. Several cultural events such as snake boat races and pulikali tiger play take place during the festival.
Here are the complete details for Onam 2017:
What Are the Dates, Timings and Rituals for Onam 2017?
Thiruvonam, which marks the end of Onam celebrations, is on 4 September this year.
Thiruvonam Nakshathram begins at 9:37 am on 3 September 2017
Thiruvonam Nakshathram ends at 11:18 am on 4 September 2017
During the festival, people take early baths and offer their prayers. Malayalis also feast on an elaborate 9-course vegetarian spread known as the Onasadya. It consists of famous dishes such as sambhar, rice, avial, thoran and payasam among others.
Kummati Kali (mask dance), Onathallu ( martial arts), elephant parade, Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes) also form a vivid part of Onam celebrations.
Why is Onam Celebrated?
According to legend, Onam is celebrated to welcome and honour the spirit of King Mahabali – a demon King. Despite being a demon king, Mahabali is revered widely in Kerala for his generosity and fair rule. This is why on Thiruvonam, his return is celebrated by the Keralites.
It is interesting to know how the reign of King Mahabali ended in Kerala. According to Vaishnava mythology, King Mahabali, after having conquered every bit of land on the Earth, had set his eyes on the heaven. Threatened by his strength and raged by his ambition, the Gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu to help them defeat Mahabali. Even though Mahabali was a devout devotee of Vishnu, the latter agreed to help the Gods in disguise.
He took the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a agni-yajana. It was an opportune moment as Mahabali was known for not displeasing anyone – who asked him for something – during this fire-sacrifice.
Vamana asked the King to grant him land worth three steps. Unable to see through the disguise, the King happily conceded. It was now that Vishnu revealed his true self and measured the Earth and the Skies in just two paces. For the third, the King offered his head. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu let him return to Earth once every year among his people before banishing him forever. Hence, Onam celebrates the homecoming of the great King Mahabali.
To welcome the King, people decorate their homes, make flower rangolis also known as Pookalam and prepare a grand feast. The arrival of the King is marked with celebrations that involve dance, games and songs, known as Onakkalikal.
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