Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of Kerala. Onam 2020 has already began  on August 22 and  the 10  day celebrations will end on August 31.

onam

It is celebrated by Malayalis irrespective of their location. There is no religious difference for celebrating Onam and it is celebrated with a special Zeal by Keralites living all over the world. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state . It is a 10 days celebration. Onam day is decided based on Solar Calendar. Onam is celebrated in Chingam month on Malayalam Solar Calendar. Chingam month is known as Simha month in other solar calendars and Avani month in Tamil Calendar.

Onam 2020- Date and Timing

Onam 2020 is on August 31st, Monday

Onam Nakshathram Begins – 01:52 PM on Aug 30, 2020
Onam Nakshathram Ends – 03:04 PM on Aug 31, 2020

Onam History,  why is  Onam Celebrated?

Although Onam is  a harvest festival, there is a story attached to it. It has been said that in the land of backwaters everyone in the kingdom of king Mahabali lived happily. The growing popularity and fame of king Mahabali implanted jealousy in the minds of Gods. His good rule was based on welfare and they began to feel jealous of him as they were worried of a place in earth becoming better than heaven, they prayed to Mahavishnu to get rid off Mahabali , and that wish was granted by Mahavishnu. He took the avatar of a dwarf Brahman – Vamana, and he asked grant of three feet of land to Mahabali. Mahabali granted land with pleasure to Vamanan. With first two steps , Vaamanan who grew up in size measured land and heaven and when he couldn’t find a place for his third step, Mahabali advised him to place it on his head. Impressed by Mahabali’s generosity Vamanan offered Mahabali the kingdom of Patala( underworld). He accepted that with pleasure, on one condition of allowing him to visit his beloved people once a year. Onam is the festival of welcoming the ancient ruler Mahabali.

Onam : Celebrations

Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower Rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women’s dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations. It is the New Year day for Malayalis.