P.J.
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Onam
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala, India. It is also the state festival of Kerala.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees consider as their King. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Vallam Kali, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Pulikali, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Pookkalam, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onathappan, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Thumbi Thullal, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onavillu, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Kazhchakkula, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onapottan and [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Atthachamayam etc. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory.The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Onatthappan, is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam) .[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The celebrations begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year (Vishu) and go on for ten days. All over the state of Kerala, [/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]festive rituals, traditional cuisine, dance and music mark this harvest festival. The ten day Onam festival is considered to be flagged off with Atthachamayam (Royal Parade on Atham Day) in Thripunithara (a suburb of Kochi City). [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The parade is colourful and depicts all the elements of Kerala culture with more than 50 floats and 100 tableaux. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The main center of festival is at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple within Kochi City, believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most important ones are the first day, Atham, and the tenth and final day, Thiru-Onam (Thiruvonam). The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the festival.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The 10 days are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onapottan in traditional costume is a custom in northern parts of Kerala. Onapottan visits houses during the onam and gives blessings. Of late Onapottan has become a rare sight, confined to villages.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]1. Atham The first day of Onam Celebrations starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from Pathala to Kerala on this day. The day also marks the start of festivities at Thrikkakara temple (considered as the abode of Mahabali). The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Atthachamayam. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple. After independence, the public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which is now aggressively promoted as a [/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]tourist event. The traditional ritual of laying Pookalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day. The size of pookkalam on this day is called as Athapoo and is small in size. This will grow in size day after day. Only yellow flowers will be used on this day and the design will be simple. Also,the statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be installed at the entrance of each house on this day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]2. Chithira The second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookkalam design with 2 different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this day, people start cleaning the household to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]3.Chodhi 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. Onam is associated with gifting new clothes, hence from this day onwards people start buying new clothes and jewellery.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]4.Vishakam The fourth day of Onam Celebrations.Vishakam is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the markets open their 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.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]5.Anizham The fifth day of Onam Celebrations, Snake Boats get ready to race in the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali. Anizham is one of the most important day in the Onam days as it 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.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]6.Thriketa The 6th day of Onam Celebrations. By the 6th day, the public frenzy starts building up. Most of the schools and public offices give holiday from this day onwards and people start packing their bags to their native homes to celebrate the festival with their dear ones. The pookalam design will be very large by this time, with at least 5 to 6 new flowers types added to the original designs.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]7.Moolam The seventh day of Onam Celebrations. On the seventh day, the smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special buffet lunch) start 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 start on this day with heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram City, Kochi city and Kozhikode along with fireworks.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]8.Pooradam The eight day of Onam Celebrations. The day starts off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house in a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookkalam smeared with a rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who are called Poorada unnikal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan. The pookkalam design from Pooradam day onwards gets much bigger and complex in design. Shopping is one of the major activities as the public will be making final purchases for the great Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]9.Uthradom The ninth day of Onam Celebrations. Uthradom is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. 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 Uthradappachil and is considered the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Uthradam is known as 'First Onam' because it marks the day when King Mahabali descends onto Kerala. Traditional myths say that the king will spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom and blessing the subjects. Due to this, Uthradom is celebrated in a very pompous manner with larger pookkalams and celebrations in all households. The Uthradom lunch is generally grand. Women normally cut the first set of vegetables on this day that marks the celebrations of Thiruvonam in each household and preparations for grand Thirvonam feast also start during the evening of Uthradom day.[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]
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[FONT=open_sansregular]10.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'. Myth says that this was the day Mahabali was sent to the netherworld ( Pathalam) by Vamana. The day marks the 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 Padmanabha Swamy of Thiruvananthapuram etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, apply rice flour batter on the main entrance (a traditional welcome sign), take an early bath, wear new clothes and distribute alms to needy. The eldest female member of each family presents clothes to all the members of the family. Special prayers and Masses are organized in temples, churches and mosques that highlight the secular nature of festival. The Pookkalam is prepared to welcome Mahabali.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Most cities in Kerala, such as the political, commercial and cultural capitals Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Thrissur, are lit up with lights and fabulous displays of fireworks. Sumptuous Onam Sadya feasts are prepared. The afternoon is marked with various traditional Onam games normally seen in rural areas and are organized by resident associations, clubs etc. in large cities. In some parts of Kerala, people indulge in various games and dances (Onakkalikal) during and post Thiruvonam. These include Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali, Pulikali etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Post Onam celebrations
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Normally Onam celebrations end by Thiruvonam. However two following days after Thiruvonam, are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avvittom marks the preparations for King Mahabali's ascension to heavens. The main ritual of the day is to take the Onathappan statue which was placed in the middle of every Pookalam during the past 10 days and immerse it in nearby rivers or sea. The pookkalam will be cleaned and removed after this. The day is also important, as the famous Pulikali is held in the city of Thrissur. In this, men dressed as lions and tigers parade through the city in large numbers. The Puli-Kali also marks the end of traditional Onam celebrations.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The fourth day of Onam is called as Chatayam. The official government celebrations ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital city- Thiruvananthapuram.
[/FONT]http://www.templeadvisor.com/user-articles/218[FONT=open_sansregular]
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[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala, India. It is also the state festival of Kerala.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees consider as their King. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Vallam Kali, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Pulikali, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Pookkalam, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onathappan, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Thumbi Thullal, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onavillu, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Kazhchakkula, [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onapottan and [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Atthachamayam etc. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory.The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Onatthappan, is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam) .[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The celebrations begin within a fortnight of the Malayalam New Year (Vishu) and go on for ten days. All over the state of Kerala, [/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]festive rituals, traditional cuisine, dance and music mark this harvest festival. The ten day Onam festival is considered to be flagged off with Atthachamayam (Royal Parade on Atham Day) in Thripunithara (a suburb of Kochi City). [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The parade is colourful and depicts all the elements of Kerala culture with more than 50 floats and 100 tableaux. [/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The main center of festival is at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple within Kochi City, believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]The ten days of Onam are celebrated with great fanfare, by Malayalees. Of all these days, most important ones are the first day, Atham, and the tenth and final day, Thiru-Onam (Thiruvonam). The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the festival.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruvonam. The 10 days are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Onapottan in traditional costume is a custom in northern parts of Kerala. Onapottan visits houses during the onam and gives blessings. Of late Onapottan has become a rare sight, confined to villages.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]1. Atham The first day of Onam Celebrations starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is believed that King Mahabali starts his preparations to descend from Pathala to Kerala on this day. The day also marks the start of festivities at Thrikkakara temple (considered as the abode of Mahabali). The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Atthachamayam. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple. After independence, the public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which is now aggressively promoted as a [/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]tourist event. The traditional ritual of laying Pookalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day. The size of pookkalam on this day is called as Athapoo and is small in size. This will grow in size day after day. Only yellow flowers will be used on this day and the design will be simple. Also,the statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be installed at the entrance of each house on this day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]2. Chithira The second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookkalam design with 2 different colours apart from yellow (mostly orange and creamy yellow). On this day, people start cleaning the household to prepare for the Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]3.Chodhi 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. Onam is associated with gifting new clothes, hence from this day onwards people start buying new clothes and jewellery.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]4.Vishakam The fourth day of Onam Celebrations.Vishakam is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the markets open their 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.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]5.Anizham The fifth day of Onam Celebrations, Snake Boats get ready to race in the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali. Anizham is one of the most important day in the Onam days as it 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.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]6.Thriketa The 6th day of Onam Celebrations. By the 6th day, the public frenzy starts building up. Most of the schools and public offices give holiday from this day onwards and people start packing their bags to their native homes to celebrate the festival with their dear ones. The pookalam design will be very large by this time, with at least 5 to 6 new flowers types added to the original designs.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]7.Moolam The seventh day of Onam Celebrations. On the seventh day, the smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special buffet lunch) start 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 start on this day with heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram City, Kochi city and Kozhikode along with fireworks.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]8.Pooradam The eight day of Onam Celebrations. The day starts off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house in a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookkalam smeared with a rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children who are called Poorada unnikal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan. The pookkalam design from Pooradam day onwards gets much bigger and complex in design. Shopping is one of the major activities as the public will be making final purchases for the great Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]9.Uthradom The ninth day of Onam Celebrations. Uthradom is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. 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 Uthradappachil and is considered the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruvonam day.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Uthradam is known as 'First Onam' because it marks the day when King Mahabali descends onto Kerala. Traditional myths say that the king will spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom and blessing the subjects. Due to this, Uthradom is celebrated in a very pompous manner with larger pookkalams and celebrations in all households. The Uthradom lunch is generally grand. Women normally cut the first set of vegetables on this day that marks the celebrations of Thiruvonam in each household and preparations for grand Thirvonam feast also start during the evening of Uthradom day.[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]
[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]10.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'. Myth says that this was the day Mahabali was sent to the netherworld ( Pathalam) by Vamana. The day marks the 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 Padmanabha Swamy of Thiruvananthapuram etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Activities begin early in the morning. People clean their house, apply rice flour batter on the main entrance (a traditional welcome sign), take an early bath, wear new clothes and distribute alms to needy. The eldest female member of each family presents clothes to all the members of the family. Special prayers and Masses are organized in temples, churches and mosques that highlight the secular nature of festival. The Pookkalam is prepared to welcome Mahabali.
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Most cities in Kerala, such as the political, commercial and cultural capitals Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Thrissur, are lit up with lights and fabulous displays of fireworks. Sumptuous Onam Sadya feasts are prepared. The afternoon is marked with various traditional Onam games normally seen in rural areas and are organized by resident associations, clubs etc. in large cities. In some parts of Kerala, people indulge in various games and dances (Onakkalikal) during and post Thiruvonam. These include Thiruvathirakali, Kummattikali, Pulikali etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]Post Onam celebrations
[/FONT][FONT=open_sansregular]Normally Onam celebrations end by Thiruvonam. However two following days after Thiruvonam, are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avvittom marks the preparations for King Mahabali's ascension to heavens. The main ritual of the day is to take the Onathappan statue which was placed in the middle of every Pookalam during the past 10 days and immerse it in nearby rivers or sea. The pookkalam will be cleaned and removed after this. The day is also important, as the famous Pulikali is held in the city of Thrissur. In this, men dressed as lions and tigers parade through the city in large numbers. The Puli-Kali also marks the end of traditional Onam celebrations.[/FONT]
[FONT=open_sansregular]The fourth day of Onam is called as Chatayam. The official government celebrations ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital city- Thiruvananthapuram.
[/FONT]http://www.templeadvisor.com/user-articles/218[FONT=open_sansregular]
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