The vibrant and colorful harvest festival of Onam is
celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar
(Kolla Varsham) called Chingam. Onam falls, on the 12th day of the
waxing moon in the six month of Hindu calendar called Bhadon or
Bhadrapada which is usually around August or September according to
Gregorian calendar once the golden yellow rice fields have been
harvested at that time of the year. There is no specific god associated
with Onam. Neither is any special puja or ritualistic prayer ceremony
which is performed. In 2008, Onam will be celebrated on the 12th of
September. The celebrations of Onam start ten days before the big day.
As it is celebrated during the harvest season, the beautiful state of
Kerala can be seen in its magnificent best. Weather is pleasantly sunny
and warm calling for mirth and celebrations. Fields look brilliant as
they glow with golden paddy grains. It is also the boom time of fruits
and flowers. After the month of deprivation, Karkidakam (last month of
Malayalam Calendar), farmers are happy with a bountiful harvest and
celebrate the festival to the hilt.
The Onam festival continues for ten days. The starting day is called
the Thiru Onam. The festival commences from lunar asterism (a cluster of
stars smaller than a constellation) Atham (Hastha) that appears ten days
before asterism Onam or Thiru Onam. Atham is regarded as auspicious and
holy day by people of Kerala. Onam corresponds to Shravan day in the
month of August or September, hence it is also called Sravanotsavam. The
first day of the festival is called Atham and culminating on Thiru Onam.
These are considered to be the most important days. The day of Atham is
celebrated on the basis of the position of the stars. The day is decided
in accordance with the legend of King Mahabali in whose honor Onam is
celebrated. People believe that it was this particular day in the month
of Chingam when Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vaamana, appeared
in the kingdom of King Mahabali and send him to nether world. It is
believed that Onam celebrations started during the Sangam Period. Record
of celebrations can be found from the time of Kulasekhara Perumals (800
AD). At that time Onam celebrations continued for a month.
