Onam is considered one of the biggest festivals in Kerala, and this year it is being celebrated from August 20 to August 29. Primarily celebrated by Malayali families, Onam comes with the onset of the New Year, also known as Kolla Varsham.
Here are 10 things you must know about the 10 festive days of Onam
Atham: Atham marks the first day of the 10-day Onam carnival. Beginning with early morning prayers, Keralites decorate their home fronts with flowers.
Chithira: Chithira is considered the second day of Onam, where Keralites clean their houses, decorate their home fronts, and go to the temple.
Chodhi: Families celebrating the Onam festival buy new clothes and ornaments for each other. Men wear Mundu, whereas girls choose to go for Pattu Pavada. Women wear traditional saree i.e. Kasavu. With this, a further layer of flower blossoms is added to the Pookalam.
Vishakam: On the fourth day of Onam, Malayalis stock up their houses with their first grown-crop of that particular season. This moves with celebrating and cooking varieties of foods.
Anizham: Anizham, the fifth day of Onam, is followed by the traditional boat race, known as Vallamkali. This traditional boat race is held on the Pamba River with a grand parade.
Thriketa: On the sixth day of Onam, i.e., Thriketa, Malayali families visit their ancestral homes and go to the temple. They add flower blossoms to the Pookalam decoration.
Moolam: Moolam is marked with the making of Sadya with family members. Onasadya is also served in the temples, which is a traditional vegetarian meal.
Pooradam: Pooradam i.e. the eighth day of Onam, is followed by visiting and meeting families and exchanging gifts with each other. Another layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam decoration.
Uthradam: Uthradam welcomes their newly harvested crops with the making of varieties of foods. Malayalis are ready with their decorations to honour Mahabali on this day.
Thiruvonam: Thiruvonam, the final day of Onam, is celebrated with huge decorations, folk dances, and traditional foods. They paint their front main door with rice flour batter and welcome King Mahabali.(Edited by : CNBC-TV18 Travel Desk)
First Published: Aug 23, 2023 3:29 PM IST
