Onam is an annual harvest festival that is celebrated across Kerala with great fervour and enthusiasm. The festival revolves around celebrating the Daitya king - Mahabali, and is filled with various traditional rituals and festive events. Onam 2024 celebrations are slated to begin on September 6 and will go on till September 15. The 10-day festival is filled with various unique celebrations and is bound to bring smiles to millions of faces. As we prepare to celebrate Onam 2024, here is everything you need to know about this festival: when is Thiruvonam 2024 and why is Onam celebrated? September 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates.

When is Onam 2024?

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival that is mainly marked by the people of Kerala as well as Keralites who are spread across the world. The festivities of Onam 2024 will begin on September 6 and will go on till September 15. Of the 10 days of festivities, Thiruvonam is considered to be the most important day and will be marked on September 15. In addition to this, each of the 10 days of Onam celebrations is filled with various special events across Kerala.

Significance of Onam and King Mahabali Story

Onam celebrations are considered to be a harvest festival that allows people a chance to get together as a community and celebrate the bountiful harvests that were made. The celebration of Onam has its origin in Hinduism as many people consider Onam to be the festive occasion where King Mahabali visits earth and spends time with his people over the span of 10 days. According to folklore, King Mahabali was an egomaniacal but kind king who did everything for the prosperity of his people. However, Lord Vishnu was informed about the growing ego and power of the king and came down to earth, dressed as a hungry peasant, to teach him a lesson. Lord Vishnu is believed to have asked King Mahabali, if he would be generous enough to give him the land that he can walk on. Mahabali, being the king that he was, happily obliged. However, Lord Vishnu revealed himself and grew in magnitude, so much so that all of King Mahabali’s land was covered in just the first two steps. For the Lord to take His third step, King Mahabali offered his head as land, thereby succumbing. However, Lord Vishnu gave him the boon of visiting the kingdom every year and celebrating with his people.

Every year, the commemoration of Onam is focused on retelling this story and preparing a grand feast using all freshly harvested fruits, vegetables and grains. The commemoration of Onam 2024 is sure to bring prosperity, happiness and good luck to one and all. Happy Onam!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2024 08:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).