Onam 2024: Significance of all 10 days

The ten-day Onam festival begins on the first day, known as ‘Atham’, and ends on ‘Thiruvonam‘, the last day of Kerala’s harvest festival. In this article, the significance of all 10 days of Onam 2024, Kerala’s harvest festival, is explained.

Onam is also known for its colorful celebrations and delicious traditional delicacies, it is celebrated across Kerala in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar and in August-September according to the Gregorian calendar.

The 10 days of Onam 2024:

• Atham
• Chithira
• Chodhi
• Vishakam
• Anizham
• Thriketta
• Moolam
• Pooradam
• Uthradam
• Thiruvonam

Onam 2024 – The 10 days of Onam represent the following:

Atham

This day is the first day of Onam celebrations. On Atham, people worship the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu in the morning and decorate their homes with yellow flowers, known as Pookkalam (flower rangoli). Residents also place idols of Vamana and King Mahabali at home.

Chithira

On the second day of Onam, people clean their houses. People go to nearby temples and offer prayers and also do shopping for Onam.

Chodhi

On this day many people buy clothes, jewellery, and gifts for their family and relatives. Often, men wear mundu, while women wear pattu pavada and women wear traditional sarees, known as kasavu. Like Diwali, houses are also decorated with diyas and colorful pookalam.

Vishakam

The fourth day is celebrated with the preparations of Onam Sadhya. Farmers collect the first harvest of the season in their homes. Traditional dance performances like Thiruvathirakali and Kathakali are also arranged in many locations.

Anizham

Moreover, Anizham is the fifth day of Onam festivities. The major attraction of this day is the grand snake boat race competition called Vallamkali, which takes place on the day of Onam.

Thriketta

Triketta or Thrikketta is the sixth day of Onam celebrations. A spirit of joy and gaiety can be seen among the people of Kerala at this time. Various cultural societies organize cultural programs and social gatherings.

Moolam

Furthermore, Moolam is the seventh day of the festival. Also, Onam Sadya is offered in temples from this day onwards. Folk dances like Kaikottikali and Pulikali are committed to celebrating this festival.

Pooradam

On this day, idols of Vamana and King Mahabali are made from clay and placed in the middle of the Pookalam. Devotees add another layer of flowers to the decoration of the Pookalam.

Uthradam

On the day of Uthradam, people offer liquor, rice cakes, flattened and roasted rice, incense, camphor, etc. to the spirits.

Thiruvonam

It is believed that on the last or 10th day, King Mahabali comes to the kingdom. On this occasion, Onam Sadhya is prepared and served, and people paint the main entrance of the house with rice flour to welcome King Mahabali.