Happy Onam 2016 ( Kerala's main festival season)
Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of the solar Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). It falls in August or September each year. There are four main days of Onam. The most important day of Onam (known as Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, meaning "Sacred Onam Day") is the second day (i.e. on 14th September).Therefore in 2016 the main Festival Holidays for Onam are from 13th to 16th September.
I wish you a very Happy Onam,
may the Lord bless you and fill your heart
with joy and happiness.
May the colour and lights of Onam
fill your home with happiness and joy.
Have the most beautiful Onam.
Happy Onam 2016.
Here is a music cum tour video of enchanting Kerala
- https://youtu.be/JSMi2je5aUE - This is KeralaOnam, the festival of harvest, brings with it truck loads of good cheer and prosperity. Besides being the biggest shopping season in Kerala, bonding with family and friends, trying out various delicious traditional recipes, dolling up in the ever classic white and gold fashion, and of course, spreading loads and loads of happiness, smiles and love, is what makes this festival all the more special.
Festivities actually commence 10 days before Thiru Onam, on Atham.
- A grand procession, Athachamyam, marks the start of Onam celebrations near Kochi at Thripunithara.
Ten days of Onam celebrations
- Atham
- Chithira
- Chodhi
- Vishakam
- Anizham
- Thriketa
- Moolam
- Pooradam
- Uthradom
- Thiruvonam
Onam Pookalam
Pookalam, which is a type of rangoli, designed with flowers is laid from Atham till Thiruvonam as part of the festival. Competitions for the best design will also be conducted in many places.
Onam Sadya
A sumptuous meal served on a banana leaf is the highlight of Thiruvonam, for which 30-65 vegetarian delicacies are prepared.
Onam Kalikal (Some snaps of Onam celebrations in Kerala)
Festivities actually commence 10 days before Thiru Onam, on Atham. As per the Malayalam calendar, the dates for 2016 and their significance are as follows:
Atham (September 4, 2016) -- is when mythical King Mahabali is believed to have started preparing to come back and visit his kingdom. People begin the day with an early bath, followed by prayers, and the creation of floral arrangements (pookalam) on the ground in front of homes to welcome him. Traditionally, the pookalams are completed with ten rings, each representing a Hindu god. The colors are chosen to please each god, and only yellow flowers are used on Atham for the first layer of the pookalam. However, these days, more importance is given to how elaborate and striking the design is. A grand procession, Athachamyam, marks the start of Onam celebrations near Kochi at Thripunithara.
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Chithira (September 5, 2016) -- two more layers are added to the pookalams, using mostly orange and creamy yellow flowers. People also visit temples to seek blessings.
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Chodhi (September 6, 2016) -- is a fun-filled day that marks the start of shopping for Onam. People begin buying new clothes, jewelry, and gifts.
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Anizham (September 8, 2016) -- snake boat races kick-off across the state. A mock race is held at Aranmula as a rehearsal for the race that's held there after the main day of Onam.
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Thriketa (September 9-10, 2016) -- people start visiting their families and fresh flowers continue to be added to pookalams.
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Moolam (September 11, 2016) -- the state is beautifully decorated.
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Pooradam (September 12, 2016) -- the day starts with the ritual installation of pyramid-style clay statues, known as Onathappan, in the center of pookalams. They represent king Mahabali and Lord Vamana (the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who sent Mahabali to the underworld but allowed him to visit his kingdom once a year during Onam). By now, the pookalams have greatly grown in size and complexity of design.
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First Onam/Uthradom (September 13, 2016) -- King Mahabali is believed to arrive in Kerala on this day. It's a jubilant occasion when people rush to complete their Onam shopping and the cleaning of their homes. It's considered to be an auspicious day for buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
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Third Onam/Avvittom (September 15, 2016) -- preparations are undertaken for King Mahabali's departure. Onathappan statues are immersed in the sea or river, and pookalams are cleared and removed.
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Fourth Onam/Chatayam (September 16, 2016) -- post-Onam celebrations continue for the next couple of days with snake boat races, Pulikkali tiger play, and Kerala Tourism's Onam Week program.
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Posted by: Murli dhar Gupta <mdguptabpl@gmail.com>
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