Onam is an annual festival celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in the state of Kerala. It is one of the most important cultural festivals of the Malayali people and is celebrated with great grandeur. Onam or Thiruvonam is also known as the harvest festival, marking the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the harvest season. The festival of Onam falls in the month of Chingam in the Malayalam calendar, which overlaps with the months of August-September on the Gregorian calendar. Onam 2024 will begin on September 6 and end on September 17, 2024. The main date of Onam or Thiruvonam this year will be September 15, 2024. Onam is the major annual event for Keralites, it is the official festival of the state which is marked by a host of cultural events.

When Is Onam 2024?

Onam 2024 dates start from September 6 and end on September 17.

Onam Significance and Rituals

The date of Onam is based on the Panchangam and falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of the Malayalam calendar, which in the Gregorian calendar falls between August–September. Onam commemorates Vamana, the fifth avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, and the generous but egotistical Daitya king Mahabali. The festival has ancient origins and is linked with Hindu mythology. As per records, the earliest known reference to the word Onam as a celebration is found in Maturaikkāñci – a Sangam-era Tamil poem from the 3rd century CE.

(Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on beliefs and legends only. Before applying any information in real life, consult the concerned expert.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2024 06:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).