Onam is a Hindu Festivalcelebrated by the people of the State of Kerala,India. The festival commemorates the Vamana Avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali.
The Onam Festival falls during the month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for 10 days.
Atham- The first day of Onam Celebrations
Onam starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from heaven to Kerala on this day.
The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Athachamayam.
The traditional ritual of laying Pookalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day.The size of pookalam on this day is called as Athapoo and will small which eventually grew day after day.
Chithira- The second day of Onam Celebrations
The second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookalam design with 2 different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this day, people starts cleaning the house-hold to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.
Chodi- The third day of Onam Celebrations
The pookalam now will start growing in its size by adding new layers or designs with at least 4 to 5 different flowers. The day also marks the start of shopping activities.
Vishakam- The fourth day of Onam Celebrations
Vishakam- The fourth day of Onam Celebrations is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the markets open this harvest sale on this day, making one of the busiest days in the markets for public. Today Vishakam marks the start of many Onam-related competitions like Pookalam competitions etc
Anizham- The fifth day of Onam Celebrations
The day kicks off the great Vallam Kali (Snake boat) at many parts of Kerala. A mock Vallam Kali is conducted on this day at Aranmula as a dress-rehearsal for the famed Aranmula boat race which will be held after Onam.
Thriketa- The sixth day of Onam Celebrations
Most of the schools and public offices starts issuing holidays from this day onwards and people starts packing their bags to their native homes to celebrate the festival with their dear ones.
Moolam- The seventh day of Onam Celebrations
The smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special buffet lunch) starts in many places. Most of the temples offers special sadhyas on from this day. Festivities include Puli Kali (Masked leopard dance) and traditional dance forms like Kaikotti Kali also performed in various functions.
The official Government celebrations starts on this day.
Pooradam- The eight day of Onam Celebrations
The day marks off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house as a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookalam smeared with rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who will be Pooradaunnikkal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan.
Uthradom- The ninth day of Onam Celebrations
It is considered as Onam eve and celebrated in a very big way. The importance of this day is last minute extreme shopping frenzy called as Uthradapachal and is considered the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.
Thiruvonam- The tenth day of Onam Celebrations
The final day of Onam that culminates the 10 days of Onam Carnival. The day is known as Thiru-Onam (Sacred Onam Day) also known as SECOND ONAM.The day marks return of Mahabali to his fabled land (Kerala), as per the boon he received from Vamana to meet his subjects and bless them. Apart from this myth, this day is considered auspicious being birthdays of several temple deities like Vamana of Thrikkara temple, Sree Ppadmanabha Swamy of Thiruvananthapuram etc.
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