Onam, falls in the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Chingam. It is one of the most popular festivals in Kerala and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, in the months of August and September.
The festivities go on for a period of 10 days and this year, the celebrations had begun on 22 Aug and will continue till 02 Sep. Each day of the festival has its own name - the star of the day - significance and activities that are relevant for that day. There are also a few post-Onam celebrations which add to the 10-day festival. Here's a brief of what the days signify and as you are aware, quite a few of them are already behind us.
22 Aug, Atham. The festival starts with people decorating their homes with flowers, known as 'pookkalam', which attains various hues and layers with each passing day of the festival.
23 Aug, Chithira. The day is reserved for the customary cleaning of the entire house and another layer of flowers is added/the hues changed to/in the pookkalam.
24 Aug, Chothi. On this day, following the addition/changes to the pookkalam, the family gets together and begins shopping for each other. They gift each other new clothes, known as 'Onakodi' and jewellery.
25 Aug, Vishakham. The day is considered the most auspicious of all the days and is the day when the preparations for the 'Onasadya' begins. The various competitions organised for the festival also begins today.
26 Aug, Anizham. The day of the boat race, called 'vallamkali'. It starts from the small town of Aranmula, located on the banks of the River Pamba in Pathanamthitta.
27 Aug, Thriketa. A joyous day for the children as the schools start closing and all the time is devoted to the preparation and celebration of the festival.
28 Aug, Moolam. Several places see the start of the Onasadya and dance performances. The decoration of the site also begins on this day.
29 Aug, Pooradam. On this day, the statues of Vamana and King Mahabali are cleaned and placed in the centre of the pookkalam.
30 Aug, Uthraadam. It is believed that King Mahabali reaches the state today. It is considered the most important day and people start to buy fresh vegetables and start cooking the traditional meals.
31 Aug, Thiruvonam. All the preparations done up till now come into effect. People, across the state, start the day early, exchange gifts and offer prayers at the temple. The elaborate Thiruvona sadya is prepared in all households and dance and boat racing competitions continue.
01 Sep, Avittam. The left overs of the Thiruvonam sadya is the mainstay of the meals, this day, with certain additions to complete the spread. It also sees the preparations to bid farewell to King Mahabali.
02 Sep, Chathayam. The final day when King Mahabali leaves the state.
* This year, with the pandemic Covid-19 raging, the activities will be on a low key as wearing of masks, avoidance of crowds and social distancing are in vogue. The schools have been closed much earlier and crowd indulging in shopping has come down drastically.
Tailpiece.
Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Called up friends and relatives to wish them 'happy Onam'. Lekha's preparations were superb!
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