Several traditional rituals are performed like Snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali, etc. After the month of deprivation, Karkidakam (last month of Malayalam Calendar), farmers are happy with a bountiful harvest and celebrate the festival to the hilt.People make the carpet of flowers which is known as 'Pookkalam' and lay in front of their house to welcome King Mahabali. It is also the boom time of fruits and flowers. Fields look brilliant as they glow with golden paddy grains. Weather is pleasantly sunny and warm calling for mirth and celebrations. Harvest TimeĪs it is a harvest season, the beautiful state of Kerala can be seen in its magnificent best. At that time Onam celebrations continued for a month. Record of celebrations can be found from the time of Kulasekhara Perumals (800 AD).

It is believed that Onam celebrations started during the Sangam Period.

All this is done to impress upon King Mahabali that his people are prosperous and happy.

To welcome their revered ruler, people lay flower mats (Pookalam) in the front courtyard, prepare a grand meal (Onasadya), dance, play and make merry. Devotees of Maveli celebrate the golden era witnessed in Maveli's reign during Onam. People believe that it is on the last day, Tiruonam that the spirit of King Maveli visits Kerala, hence the day is marked by feast and festivities. People believe that it was this particular day in the month of Chingam when Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vaamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and send him to nether world. The day is decided in accordance with the legend of King Mahabali in whose honor Onam is celebrated. Onam corresponds to Shravan day in the month of August or September, hence it is also called Sravanotsavam.Īt this time sun is in the Zodiac sign of Leo (Simha rasi), which happens to be the sun's house as well. Atham is regarded as auspicious and holy day by people of Kerala. The festival commences from lunar asterism (a cluster of stars smaller than a constellation) Atham (Hastha) that appears ten days before asterism Onam or Thiru Onam. The day of Atham is decided by the position of stars. These are the most important days for the festivities. Onam carnival continues for ten days, starting from the day of Atham and culminating on Thiru Onam. This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar and the sixth month of Indian (Hindu) Calendar called Bhadrapada or Bhadon. Vibrant and colorful harvest festival of Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called Chingam.

Onam history