Kerala: 10-day Onam festivities begin in state with Atham.

Onam 2022: Day-Wise Significance

• Day 1, Atham: The first day is Known as Atham, which marks the beginning of the festival. It is believed that Asura King Mahabali’s annual visit from Patala Lok to every Malayali home and meet people on Tiruvonam day.
• Day 2, Chithira: The second day is known as Chithira. On this day, another layer of a carpet of flower called Pookalam is added. They welcome Bali by burning lamps and singing traditional Onam songs to him.
• Day 3, Chodhi: The third day is called Chodhi Pookkalam when another layer is added to the carpet of flowers. People buy new clothes, jewellery and also gift each other on this day and it is known as Onakodi.
• Day 4, Visakam: It is the fourth day of this festival on which the preparation related Onasadhya or Onam feast begins.
• Day 5, Anizham: The fifth day is called Anizham which is exclusively earmarked for the famous boat race. This race begins from Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta.
• Day 6, Thriketa: The sixth day is known as Thriketa, on which day the holidays for the festival begins and people spend most of their time celebrating the festival.
• Day 7, Moolam: On the seventh day, Moolam temples organize elaborate pujas. This day also marks the beginning of Ona Sadya and cultural performances.
• Day 8, Pooradam: The eighth day is called Pooradam. On this day, the idols of King Mahabali and Vamana are installed at home and the King visits the home of Malayali people on this day.
• Day 9, Uthradom: The ninth day is called Uthradom. On this day, Mahabali arrives at Kerala. Traditional meals are prepared at home and fresh vegetables are bought as well.
• Day 10, Thiruvonam: It is the tenth day, which is known as Thiruvonam. This is when King Mahabali is greeted with a warm welcome by the people of Kerala. People take bath early in the morning and in homes, Thiruona Sadya (Special meal for Onam) is prepared.

About

• Onam is a major harvest festival in Kerala and is celebrated to honour the home-coming of Asura king Mahabali who brought about peace and prosperity in Kerala.
• It is one of the three major festivals of Kerala, celebrated during the month of Chingam, the first month in the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham.
• The other two major festivals of the state are Vishu and
• The 10-day harvest festival begins on Atham (first day of Onam) and concludes on Thiruvonam (last day).
• Onam is celebrated by making Pookkalam (the flower rangolis). Other rituals are also performed which includes-Vallam Kali (the boat races), Pulikali (the tiger dances), Kummattikali (mask dances), Onathallu (martial arts), among others.
• The main attraction is the traditional Onam sadhya(grand feast).