Compiled by: Nibandh Vinod
Last updated: August 28, 2023, 2:45 PM IST
Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum]India
Onam 2023: Onam is a harvest festival celebrating the homecoming of King Mahabali. (Image: Shutterstock)
Onam 2023: Thiruvonam is the main day of the Onam festival. It falls on August 31. According to Drik Panchang, the Thiruvonam Nakshatram on August 29 starts at 2:43 AM and ends at 11:50 PM.
ONAM THIRUVONAM 2023: Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala. The festival is a celebration of the homecoming of King Mahabali, a benevolent ruler who is said to have brought prosperity to the country. Onam is a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy a variety of traditional dishes, games and dances. The festival is a symbol of hope and renewal, and it is a time to reflect on the good things in life. This year Onam is celebrated from August 20 to August 31.
Thiruvonam 2023 Date and Shubh Muhurat
Thiruvonam is the main day of the Onam festival. It falls on August 31 in 2023. According to Drik Panchang, the Thiruvonam Nakshatram on August 29 starts at 2:43 AM and ends at 11:50 PM.
Spiritual meaning
Onam is a harvest festival that celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali. According to legend, Mahabali was a benevolent king who ruled Kerala with justice and compassion. He was so loved by his people that they prayed for his return after his death. Their prayers were answered and Mahabali returned to Kerala for one day every year.
Onam Puja Rituals
Onam is celebrated with a variety of puja rituals. Relatives wake up early in the morning wearing new traditional clothes and worship the Thrikkakara appam or Vaman Vishnu Idols. Women then make several Pookkalam or flower rangoli on the east side of their house. They also light lamps and sing Onam songs to welcome King Mahabali.
A swinging ceremony is performed on Thiru Onam, where a swing is hung from the high branch of a tree. On the third day, people invite their friends and relatives and celebrate Onam Sadya. They cook 13 dishes including rice, avial, cottage cheese and payasam and serve it on fresh banana leaf.
These rituals vary from region to region, but some common ones include:
Apookalam: This is a floral rangoli that is made for the home. It is said to welcome King Mahabali.
Onam Sadya: This is a traditional Kerala feast eaten on Onam. The feast typically includes a variety of dishes such as rice, curries, vegetables and sweets.
Onam Vallamkali: This is a snake boat race held in Kerala on Onam. The race is a symbol of strength and unity.
On the ninth day of Onam, the families give vegetables and coconut oil as a gift to the eldest members of the family, who are called Karanavar. On the last day of Onam, various cultural activities are held in temples and religious places.