The biggest festival in Kerala is celebrated for 10 days. This festival will be celebrated as the Kerala Onam Festival from 6th September 2024 to 15th September 2024. This magnificent and vibrant festival of Kerala, the Onam Festival, is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the state.
This festival is celebrated in Kerala as a symbol of harvest and the return of King Mahabali related to the Puranas. This festival is not only a form of cultural heritage of Kerala, but it is also a form of families coming together and celebrating.
Onam Festival 2024 Date And Time
The Onam festival is being started on Friday, 6 September 2024.
The ending day of the Onam festival will be Sunday, i.e., 15 September 2024.
The main Onam day of the Onam festival will be celebrated on Thiruvonam, i.e., Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
What Are The 10 Days Of Onam Festival?
Each day of the Onam festival has a special significance.
First Day
The first day of Onam festival is celebrated as Atham. In this, the festival starts with the preparation of Pookalam.
Second Day
This day is celebrated by the people of Kerala as Chithira. On this day, people here clean their houses and along with this they keep on increasing the design of Pookalam.
Third Day
This day is celebrated as Chodhi. On this day, people buy new clothes and continue the tradition of spreading Pookalam.
Fourth Day
This day is celebrated as Vishakam. On this day, preparations for a grand feast are started and the markets also become very busy.
Fifth Day
This day is celebrated as Anizham. That is, on this day, the people of the place organize a very popular boat race called Vallamkali.
Sixth Day
This day is celebrated as Thriketa. On this day, family members start gathering and the festival also picks up pace.
Seventh Day
This day is celebrated as Moolam. On this day, traditional dance performances like Kaikottikali and Pulikali are organized.
Eighth Day
This day is celebrated as Puradam. On this day the Pookalam comes into its best shape.
Ninth Day
This day is celebrated as Uttaradam. This day is also known as the eve of Onam festival.
Tenth Day
This day is celebrated as Thiruvonam. This day is the most important day of Onam festival.
History Of Onam Festival
The story of the history of this festival revolves around the legend of King Mahabali. King Mahabali was a kind ruler and was loved by his subjects. According to legend, the special thing about Mahabali's reign was peace, prosperity and equality. This made the gods afraid that King Mahabali might overpower the gods.
That is why, to curb Mahabali's power, Lord Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Brahma named Vaman and reached the court of King Mahabali. Meanwhile, Vaman asked for land in two feet. The king was very kind and agreed. Then Lord Vishnu, in the form of Vaman, takes his huge size and covers the earth and sky with just two feet. After this, there is no space left for the third foot, so the king puts his head forward. Therefore, for his devotion and generosity, King Mahabali was ordered to return to his kingdom once a year. That is why his return is celebrated every year at the Onam festival.
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