Onam 2019 Date: Story, Significance And Celebrations Related to the Harvest Festival of Kerala

Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala which is celebrated with great pomp and fervour by Malayalis. It falls during Chingam, the first month of Malayalam solar calendar, Kollavarsham. Kerala dresses up in an array of beautiful colours during these festivities making the God's own country among top travel destination for tourists. Onam commences on the day known as Atham and carries on till the 10th day known as Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam. Onam 2019 begins on September 2 and Thiru Onam will be celebrated on September 11. During these 10 days, Kerala witnesses a display of various traditional and cultural art forms.

The celebrations also spill on the 11 and 12the day during which cultural events likes boat races, Pulikkali (tiger play), Thiruvathira Kali and other traditional art forms are held. Food is an integral part of the festivities wherein varying dishes are made. From traditional Kerala dishes, sweets to delicacies, food plays a big role in the celebrations.

Story And Significance Related to Onam

The biggest festival of Kerala has an age-old mythological story attached to it. Onam is celebrated to honour and welcome demon King, Mahabali who once reigned over Kerala. The Asura king was very kind and ensured the well-being of his subjects. The land witnessed prosperity, happiness and peace. There were no fights or disputes and everyone lived happily. The King's powers then moved from the earthly realm and went on to conquer the netherworld and even the heavens. The Gods who were already jealous about Mahabali's stature in the Kingdom started feeling challenged by his increasing power. They tried to rage a battle against him, but failed.

As Mahabali defeated the Gods and took over all three worlds, Devas approached Vishnu for help in their battle with Mahabali. Vishnu said he would help them but not by involving in a battle against Mahabali. So he descended to the Earth in the form of a poor dwarf Brahmin, Vamana (the fifth avatar of Vishnu). He visited Mahabali and asked him for three paces of land.

A kind Mahabali agreed to the wishes, but soon the sage started growing in size. With his first step, he covered the sky and the second step he covered the netherworld. And as his third step could have destroyed the land, a kind and humble Mahabali, who did not want to go back on his promise, offered his own head. But before he was banished from Earth, Vishnu who was impressed by Mahabali's sacrifice and love for his subjects, gave him a boon. He was allowed to visit the people of his kingdom once in a year. Hence, it is believed that Mahabali visits his subjects every year on the day of Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam.

Onam Celebrations

Malayalis residing in countries across the world celebrate the festival in a grand way. Traditional dance forms, boat racing, Onamsadhya (feast), pookalam (arrangement of flowers), games, music are the main ingredients of the celebrations. Onasadya is a traditional nine-course meal comprising 10-13 dishes other than sweet dishes. It is served on a banana leaf which is relished by Malayalis.

While celebrations are held on all 10 days of Onam, due to time constraint, Malayalis living outside Kerala often restrict the festival to the main day which is the tenth day. People wake up early in the morning, take a bath, put on their new clothes and visit their friends and family. The entire day is spent in munching on food, playing games, meeting friends, and other festivities. We wish everyone celebrating the festival, a Happy Onam in advance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2019 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).