Onam 2022: Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Kerala’s 10-Day Harvest Festival
In Kerala, the annual Hindu harvest festival of Onam is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. It commemorates a variety of cultural events as well as the arrival of King Mahabali. The festival commemorates the mythical king who once ruled Kerala, according to religious beliefs. The Hindu festival is a collection of celebrations that last ten days. Everything you need to know is right here.
Atham - 30 August 2022
Atham is the preparation for Mahabali's return to his kingdom. Grand processions, including the Athachamayam, are held throughout Kochi, including at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple. The first layer of Pookalam (made of yellow petals) is known as Athapoo, and subsequent layers are added.
Chithira - 31 August 2022
Two more layers of orange and yellow flowers are added to the Pookalam on the second day of the festival. Malayalis from all over the world travel to Chithira to visit temples.
Chodhi - September 1, 2022
People buy new clothes and give jewels to family members on this day. While women prefer Kasavi Saree, men prefer mundu, and little girls prefer Pattu Pavada. To commemorate the occasion, which is also known as Onakkodi, another layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam.
2 September 2022, Vishakam
Onasadya preparations begin on the fourth day, as Malayalis stock their homes with the season's fresh harvest. Families prefer a variety of dishes to commemorate the occasion.
3 September 2022, Anizham
On the fifth day of Onam, the famous boat race competition Vallamkali is held on the Pamba river.
Thriketa (4 September 2022)
Thriketa is a festival in which families go to their ancestral homes and temples to seek blessings. In the meantime, new flowers are added to the Pookalam.
Moolam - September 5, 2022
From this day forward, temples throughout Kochi begin to offer Onasadya. Various folk dances, such as Pulikali and Kaikottukali, are performed throughout Kerala.
Pooradam (6 September 2022)
The Pookalam grows larger on the eighth day with the addition of flowers each day. Pooradam begins with the placement of clay idols of Mahabali and Vamana in the centre of the Pookalam. According to legend, that gesture invites Mahabali to visit every household.
Uthradam - September 7, 2022
All devotees in Kerala make special preparations to mark the arrival of Mahabali, also known as the First Onam. A variety of dishes are prepared using fresh vegetables and fruit from the new harvest.
Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is the festival's final day, when people apply rice flour batter to their front door as a welcome sign for King Mahabali. Families prepare and enjoy Onasadya (the rich Onam feast).