Onam is a harvest festival celebrated every year by every Malayali in each corner of the world, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is a festival that defines us as a community. Wherever we go, the spirit of this festival seems to follow us, and the explosion of colours, flowers, delicious traditional feasts, community engagement, games, and family gatherings all make Onam the most wonderful and eventful time of the year for every Malayali, despite where they are. But how is it celebrated? What is the lore behind it? What are the traditions of Onam that you are missing out on? Let’s take a deep dive into Onam and its traditions, educate ourselves, and prepare for an incredible Onam this year!

The legend behind Onam

Onam is an ancient event that has been celebrated by the people of Kerala for a long time, and though it is dubbed a harvest festival, the celebration also has a myth behind it. The legend of Onam revolves around an asura king named Mahabali, who was a benevolent and just ruler. Under his righteous rule, the land flourished, everyone was happy, there was no crime, and the sorrows and hardships of the people vanished. You can find folk songs still recalled during Onam, praising the good king’s rule and the golden era of the kingdom.
 

However, as Mahabali's fame grew, so did his pride. Ambitious to expand his reign, he waged war against the Devas and conquered the heavens, leaving them homeless. Indra, the king of the Devas, sought Lord Vishnu's help to restore their kingdom. Vishnu, recognizing both Mahabali's goodness and his growing pride, decided to teach him a lesson. Lord Vishnu took on the form of a small Brahmin boy called Vamanan and went to King Mahabali, who was hosting a yatna (sacrificial rituals), and requested 3 feet of land. Mahabali, being the kind and generous king, granted his wish, and the boy suddenly started to grow to an enormous size. The transformed Vamana avatar of Vishnu covered the earth and sky in his first two steps, and for the third, Mahabali offered his own head, but before tramping the king and sending him to the netherworld, Lord Vishnu granted him a wish, and Mahabali, who was so fond of his kingdom and its people, asked for the boon to visit his kingdom and people once a year.

The return of this beloved king is celebrated as Onam every year by Keralites and Malayalis everywhere. During the 10-day festivities and the grand celebration on the final day, everyone wears their new clothes, engages in community games and other programs, makes flower arrangements and decorations, prepares traditional feasts, exchanges gifts with family and friends, forgets all the sorrows of life for a while, and celebrates a hearty Onam with what they have and shares that  happiness and well wishes with people around them.

How is Onam celebrated in Kerala?

Onam is a celebration that lasts for 10 days and most often falls in the month of September, which usually coincides with the first month of the Malayalam calendar called Chingam. The first day of Onam is called Atham, and the final 10th day is called Thiruvonam. In 2024, Onam celebrations start on September 6th, and the final day is celebrated on September 15th, according to the Malayalam and Gregorian calendars.
 

Onam today is celebrated by every Malayali, irrespective of their social and religious backgrounds, and it is a celebration of belonging, family time, and strong community values. But it is also a celebration of traditions and colourful festivities in Kerala, so let's look into the major traditions and festivities of Onam in Kerala.
 

Pookalam: The first image that comes to mind when we talk about Onam is flowers, and the flower beds and arrangements known as pookalam in Malayalam are an inevitable part of the Onam celebration. To reminisce about the good rule of Mahabali and to welcome him, pookalam is arranged in houses for all ten days of Onam.
 

Onam Sadhya: Sadhya is a traditional feast served on banana leaves, and the grand harvest festival of Onam can't be complete without a stunning feast with over 20 main and side dishes served on the fresh coconut leaf to be enjoyed.

Traditional performances, games, and processions: Traditional performances like pulikali, thiruvathirakali, thumbi thullal, onathappan, and kummatti are part of the vibrant celebration of Onam, and they add vigour and colour to this celebration of unity and community. The famous snake boat races known as vallamkali and other smaller community events are also a big part of Onam celebrations in Kerala.

Apart from these, the motto of Onam is to make the best out of what you have, so everyone wears new clothes called onakkodi, and families and friends come together to celebrate and enjoy Onam together. It celebrates a glorious legend and a golden period in which equality, satisfaction, kindness, honesty, prosperity, and community thrived.

Happy Onam!

Onam is a celebration of humanity and its vibrance, and Akshharam Online Malayalam Learning School wishes you a very happy Onam! We also welcome your little ones who are struggling with their mother tongue to our  online Malayalam classes for children! Kerala is a vibrant land with rich culture and a strong sense of community, and Onam is a festival that perfectly captures the essence of this land and its goodness. Celebrate this  Onam with family and loved ones, with the best hopes for a wonderful year ahead, embracing traditions. Connect with us to learn more about our summer program for Malayalam language.