When is Onam 2024? Know the date, history, significance and more. (Image: iStock)
Onam is the annual harvest and cultural festival celebrated by the Malay Hindu community of Kerala. The festival is commemorated during the Chingam month of the Malay solar calendar. Chingam month is also known as Simha month in some solar calendars and Avani month in the Tamil calendar.
Onam festivities are celebrated on the day when Nakshatra Thiruvonam appears in the month of Chingam.
When is Onam? 2024?
Onam 2024 will begin on 6th September 2024 and end on 17th September 2024. The main day of celebration, known as Thiruvonam, falls on 15th September (Sunday).
Meaning of Onam
According to Hindu mythology, the Brahmin sage Prahlada had a grandson named Mahabali. He took over the three worlds by defeating the gods. In Vaishnavism, the gods approached Lord Vishnu for help in the battle against Mahabali. Vishnu refused, considering Mahabali to be a good ruler and his devotee. Mahabali performed a Yajna after his victory over the gods and had to grant anyone any request. Lord Vishnu took this opportunity to test Mahabali’s devotion. He approached Mahabali in the avatar of a dwarf boy named Vamana.
The king offered all he could to the boy, but Vamana refused, saying that one should not seek more than what one needs and all he needed was three steps. Mahabali, though surprised by the boy’s wish, agreed to grant it. Vamana grew and covered the earth and water with one foot and the sky with another. To place the third foot, Mahabali offered himself. Vamana trampled Mahabali to Pathala (hell), but pleased by his devotion offered him the boon of visiting his land every year. Mahabali’s visit marks the festival of Onam.
Rituals
- Onam is the rice harvest festival of Kerala. The ten days of Onam celebration have their own significance.
- The distinctive floral designs known as ‘pookkalam’ are a symbol of this festival. Usually, the women of the house make different types of patterns on the ground with flowers and light lamps to invite King Mahabali to their house.
- On this occasion, grand feasts, known as ‘onam sadya’, are prepared. Typically, around 13 dishes are prepared. The food is served on banana leaves and consists of rice, along with different side dishes, pickles and papads.
- Ornately decorated elephants are a feature of Onam processions.
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