Onam is an annual Hindu pageant celebrated within the state of Kerala. It’s the nationwide pageant of Kerala, reflecting the state’s tradition and heritage in a singular method.
It’s, certainly, probably the most revered pageant of the state. Onam brings in the most effective festive spirit amongst Keralites, no matter social standing and faith, and is widely known with a lot splendour.
When is Onam celebrated?
The pageant of Onam lasts greater than ten days. It’s celebrated within the month of Chingam (Simha), which is the primary month within the conventional Malayalam photo voltaic calendar.
The pageant extends from Atham (Hasta) Nakshatram to Chathayam (Shatabhisha) Nakshatram within the month of Chingam. The celebrations can be in full splendour on Uthradam (Uttara Ashada), Thiruvonam (Sravana), Avittom (Dhanishta), and Chathayam (Shatabhisha), that are usually thought to be Onnaam (First) Onam, Randaam (Second) Onam, Moonnam (Third) Onam and Naalaam (Fourth) Onam, respectively.
A very powerful day of the pageant is Thiruvonam. The pageant title ‘Onam’ itself is a tweak of the phrase Thiruvonam. On the Gregorian calendar, Onam normally falls in late August or early September.
When is Thiruvonam 2025?
Thiruvonam 2025, crucial event of the pageant of Onam, falls on September 5, Friday. So the pageant date of Onam in 2025 is September 5. Atham, the day marking the start of celebrations, falls on August 26, Tuesday.
The Competition Date of Onam in 2025 is September 5
Onam 2025 – Vital Dates and Timings
Dawn: September 5, 2025, 6:16 AM
Sundown: September 5, 2025, 6:23 PM
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins: September 4, 2025, 2:12 PM
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends: September 5, 2025, 1:52 PM
| Nakshatra | Date | Weekday |
| Atham (Hasta) | Aug 26 | Tuesday |
| Chithira (Chitra)/Chothi (Swati) | Aug 27 | Wednesday |
| Chodi (Swati) | Aug 28 | Thursday |
| Visakham (Visakha) | Aug 29 | Friday |
| Anizham (Anuradha) | Aug 30 | Saturday |
| Thrikketta (Jyeshta) | Aug 31 | Sunday |
| Moolam (Moola) | Sep 01 | Monday |
| Pooradam (Purva Ashadha) | Sep 02 | Tuesday |
| Uthradam (Uttara Ashadha) | Sep 03 | Thursday |
| Thiruvonam (Shravana) | Sep 04 | Friday |
| Avittam (Dhanishta) | Sep 05 | Saturday |
| Chathayam (Shatabhisha) | Sep 06 | Sunday |
Onam is about new beginnings
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Onam 2025: Cultural Significances
Onam, the most important pageant within the state of Kerala, fills the hearts of individuals with gaiety and brings them collectively to be part of the colourful, cultural pageant. All Keralites, their households, neighbourhoods, and even the private and non-private organisations attempt to make the celebrations as grand as they’ll.
Yearly, the Govt. Of Kerala declares a 4-day vacation break to rejoice Onam. The 4 days are the First (Uthradam), Second (Thiruvonam), Third (Avittam), and Fourth (Chathayam) Onam days. Thiruvonam, the second Onam, is the primary day that’s celebrated with probably the most pomp and splendour. It’s crucial pageant that fills up gaiety in each nook and nook of the land. The celebrations vary from households shopping for new garments and feasting collectively to massive social occasions showcasing varied cultural and sports activities entertainments.
Mahabali
For Keralites, the Onam celebrations are a commemoration of the legendary King Mahabali. It’s believed that throughout the reign of Mahabali, affluence and righteousness prevailed throughout this land, and Onam is a remembrance of that stunning interval. The widespread perception is that yearly, on the day of Thiruvonam, Mahabali visits his land and folks from Patal Loka (nether world). Some affiliate this pageant with the start of Vishnu’s fifth avatar, Vamana.
Harvest pageant of Kerala
Onam can be the rice harvest pageant of Kerala. It falls at the moment of the yr when the monsoon takes a break. The climate can be good, neither too dry nor too moist, and the flowers can be in full bloom. The varied customs and celebrations noticed on the event of Onam are symbolic of agricultural prosperity and general social affluence.
Onam is crucial pageant of the Hindus in Kerala, however this event is loved by different communities too. The grand celebrations of this pageant eradicate all of the non secular disparities in society. It’s a widespread follow for the opposite communities right here to affix the Hindus of their conventional Onam feast and different merrymaking. It unites folks of all communities and spreads the message of peace and concord.
Onam celebrations
All of the celebrations related to Onam are a show of Kerala’s wealthy heritage and tradition. Varied post-harvest sports activities, Onapattukal (Onam songs), Kaikottikkali, and all different cultural and leisure packages depict the wonder and pleasure of an excellent custom. This time of the yr can be thought-about the tourism week in Kerala and is the most effective time to go to the state. All of the retailers and business institutions within the state take pleasure in most enterprise on this interval of the yr.
The Legend of Onam
The historical past of Onam dates again to the Sangam interval, when it was was celebrated for a month. In line with mythology, the demon King Mahabali (grandson of Prahlad), a mighty ruler, managed the three Lokas – BhuLoka, Deva Loka, and PatalLoka (Earth, Heaven, and the Nether World). Regardless that he belonged to the Asura clan, he was recognized to be beneficiant and sort to his folks, and for that, he was adored. It was throughout his reign that folks noticed the most effective of occasions; prosperity and grandeur dominated all over the place. Nevertheless, the Gods had been sad with him as a result of he had defeated them, and his energy and recognition stored rising. Therefore, they approached Lord Vishnu for assist.
Vamana and Mahabali
Sensing their concern, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin Vamana and visited the king. Vamana requested Mahabali to grant him the land which he may cowl with three ft. Being a sort and charitable particular person, Mahabali granted his want, and shortly Vamana began to develop big in dimension. As he lined the Earth and Heaven together with his first two steps, King Bali requested him to maintain his final step on his head, which led him to Patala (the nether world). Nevertheless, for the nice deeds of King Bali, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon to go to his folks yearly, which led to the celebration of the Onam pageant. So, Onam celebrates the homecoming of King Mahabali.
Rituals of Onam Competition
The next are some traditions/practices generally adopted as a part of Onam celebrations.
Pookkalam:
Often known as Athapookkalam, these are the creative floral designs laid on the bottom, normally in entrance of the home. Usually, on the day of Atham, the womenfolk of the household dressed up in conventional types, acquire flowers, and organize the patterns. These days, conducting Athapookkalam occasions is a typical follow during which each women and men take part in massive numbers.
Onakkodi:
The brand new garments that folks reward to their expensive ones on the event of Onam.
Onasadya / Onam Sadya:
The normal Kerala feast is served on banana leaves. Meals with greater than 13 conventional dishes, together with chips, pickles, and papads, are ready for this. Payasam, a attribute candy dish product of rice, milk, sugar, and coconut, is a should for Onasadya.
Vallamkali:
That is the standard Kerala boat race occasion, normally performed on the event of Onam. Lengthy picket boats known as Chundanvallam(Snake boats), rowed by tons of of oarsmen, compete with one another, and the winners get big quantities of money as rewards.
Pulikkali:
This contains folks with ‘yellow and black physique paints, resembling tigers’ dancing and amusing the spectators. In current occasions, this has grown to be a large occasion and a serious vacationer attraction.
Kaikottikkali:
A dance type during which ladies, wearing conventional fashion, type a round sample round a Nilavilaku (oil lamp) and transfer in sync with a tune. These days, faculties, faculties, and workplaces conduct Kaikottikkali as part of their Onam celebrations.
Onam 2025, 10-Day Celebrations
The First Day (Atham):
At the present time marks the start of Onam celebrations. Individuals would generally begin at the present time by visiting the temples. Additionally, they go round gathering or shopping for flowers and arranging the Pookkalam.
The Second Day (Chithira):
The second day of the Onam celebration will begin with some prayers and worship. After that, new flowers can be added to the Pookkalam.
The Third Day (Choti):
From at the present time, folks normally begin purchasing to buy all of the stuff required for the upcoming celebrations.
The Fourth Day (Vishakam):
On at the present time, varied communities would begin conducting occasions resembling Pookalam competitions. Girls would possibly begin making ready pickles and chips for the ultimate day.
The Fifth Day (Anizham):
At the present time is thought for the well-known boat race, also referred to as Vallamkali.
The Sixth Day (Thrikketta):
The cultural occasions would turn into a typical sight throughout Kerala by this time. Individuals would go to and take part in occasions with their close to and expensive ones.
The Seventh Day (Moolam):
Giant crowds can be seen all over the place by this time. The markets and streets can be stuffed with distributors promoting meals gadgets, garments, and so forth.
The Eighth Day (Pooradam):
On at the present time, folks would begin creating pyramid-shaped idols made out of clay. These idols can be adorned with flowers and organized close to the Pookkalam.
The Ninth Day (Uthradam):
The penultimate day of Onam sees folks put together to welcome King Mahabali. There’s a heavy rush to acquire the ultimate supplies for Onam. This rush is usually known as Uthrada-pachil (Uthradam rush).
The Tenth Day (Thiruvonam):
Thiruvonam is crucial day of Onam. It’s believed that King Mahabali visits his kingdom on at the present time. The spotlight of the day is the luxurious vegetarian feast households take pleasure in throughout midday, known as Onasadya.
