Onam is a Malayali harvest festival celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by people across India. The celebrations of Onam 2022 are all set to be grander than before, with various initiatives and plans. Onam 2022 celebrations will begin on August 30 and continue until September 8. The most important day during the Onam festival is called Thiruonam and will be marked on September 8. This 10-day celebration is filled with various rituals, traditions and fun events. Overall, the celebration of Onam aims to commemorate the bountiful harvest seasons and also celebrates the return of King Mahabali. It is interesting to note that Onam is celebrated more like a cultural event than a religious festival in Kerala. As we prepare to bring in Onam 2022, here is everything you need to know about this festival, how to celebrate Onam, Onam Sadhya recipes, the significance of Pookolam designs for Onam 2022 and more. September 2022 Holidays Calendar With Major Festivals & Events: List of Important Dates and Indian Bank Holidays for the Ninth Month.

When is Onam 2022?

While the most important day of the Onam celebration - Thiruvonam - falls on September 8, the 10-day festivities will begin on August 30. Onam is celebrated in the first month of the Malayali calendar - Chingam. Onam festival is known to have ancient origins, even though some aspects of it also started to be linked to Hinduism. Onam festivities in Kerala are therefore not restricted to any one religion but commemorated as a cultural get-together. Each day of the Onam festival - Atham, Chithira, Chodi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and Thiruvonam - is believed to have its own significance. However, Thiruvonam is the most important day, which is celebrated as the sort of amalgamation of the 10-day festivity.

Onam Rituals

There are various rituals and traditions surrounding Onam celebrations. For starters, drawing Pookalam - or rangolis made with flower petals is an integral part of the Onam celebration. The reason behind this tradition is simple since Onam celebrates the harvest, the colourful flowers that bloom during this season are used to capture the bountiful harvest and spread some love and happiness. Another important part of the Onam celebration is the preparation of the grand feast - called Onam Sadhya.

Watch Video of Onam Pookalam Designs

Onam Sadhya Recipe

Onam Sadhya is a specially prepared elaborate feast of delicious Kerala-special delicacies. From stews made of traditional seasonal produce like yam, ash gourd and cucumber to the staple additions of pal payasam, vadas, papadams, etc., there are close to 26 dishes that are prepared for a proper Onasadhya meal. People often get together to prepare these dishes and indulge in dining together to spread festive cheer.

Watch Video of Onam Sadhya Recipes

In addition to this, Onam celebrations are also filled with song, dance and drama. Many people reenact the story of King Mahabali, who is known to be the kindest king of his regions, who willingly and whole-heartedly sacrificed his life to keep his word to Lord Vishnu. In fact, the preparation of Onasadhya is often said to be the effort of the people of Kerala to invite Lord Mahabali to their homes and treat them with all the fresh produce and harvest that was only possible because of his phenomenal reign. Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Onam!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2022 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).