Onam: Date, Time and Significance

Related Topics:Bhagwan VishnuFestivals and EventsRituals and Traditions

Onam is one of the popular festivals of Kerala, and it marks the beginning of the Malayalam year. It is also the beginning of the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Chingam. It is a 10-day festival that begins with Atham and ends with Thiruvonam. This year, the festival will be celebrated between August 20 (the day when Atham Nakshatra prevails) and 31 (Thiruvonam), 2023. Thiruvonam marks the end of the Onam celebration. It is also a major harvest festival in Kerala. Atham Nakshatra is another name for Hasta Nakshatra in other Hindu calendars.

The last day of Onam begins in the constellation of Thiruvonam. The last day is the main day of this festival.

Thiruvonam Nakshatra: Date and Timings

• Thiruvonam Date 2023: 29th August 2023, Tuesday
• Thiruvonam Nakshatra Begins: On Aug 29, 2023, at 02:43 AM
• Thiruvonam Nakshatra Ends: On Aug 29, 2023, at 11:50 PM

Significance of Onam

The festival celebrates the appearance of Shri Vishnu’s Vamana Avatar and is followed by the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali.  The festival is a time to honour the sacrifices of the king and thank him for the good times during his rule. The people of Kerala make a lot of preparations to welcome their beloved king every year during this time, whom they recognise as “Onathappan.”

History of Onam Festival

According to Ancient Sanatan Hindu history, King Mahabali was a Daitya King with his kingdom in Kerala. He was a great philanthropist too, and spent most of the time doing charity. He was a very religious king and regularly engaged in philanthropic work. He once defeated the Devatas and ruled over all three Loks. He was a great king and during his rule, his kingdom was abundant with prosperity and grandeur, and the people of the Kingdom had the best of times. 

Mahabali became so popular that Devatas started feeling insecure about him and they asked Shri Vishnu to step in and help restrain him. Following the request of Devatas, Shri Vishnu, took birth in the form of Vamana (Brahman) in the house of Kashyap Rishi. Gradually, the child grew up and became a young man, however his height was too short hence was called Vamana. 

One day when King Mahabali was sitting on a big Yagya, Shri Vishnu, knowing the charitable nature of Mahabali went there with a plan. He knew Mahabali never returned anyone with an empty hand and never said no if anyone asked for something from him. Therefore, Vishnu Bhagwan ‌reached the kingdom of Mahabali in the form of a Brahmin and requested the king’s courtiers to ask their king to meet him. Since Mahabali already sat for Yajna, according to the Yajna rules, once the Yajna starts, it is prohibited to leave the Yajna in between. On seeing Shri Vishnu, Shukracharya recognised him and understood his plan and he warned Mahabali to avoid promising anything to him (Shri Vishnu). However, he was Mahabali and as per his altruistic and self-sacrificing nature, he was against the thought of making the Brahmin wait for him and he at once agreed to meet the Brahmin.  

On meeting, Vishnu Bhagwan (in this disguise of Vamana), King Mahabali went on to ask him, “Whatever you want, you can ask now.” On this, Lord Vishnu asked the king for three steps of land. King Mahabali (who by now was aware that Vamana was none other than Bhagwan Vishnu himself) smiled and said, “Take three steps of land wherever you want.”

Lord Vishnu then took his cosmic form and covered the entire earth in one step, and the heavens in the second step. Then he asked King Mahabali where he should put his third step. The demon king Mahabali without even feeling terrified a bit that he was losing his entire kingdom, smiled and said, “This world is so small for you, What can I do, Bhagwan? Now only my head is left.”

On this, to end Mahabali’s rule on earth, Shri Vishnu at once placed his feet on Mahabali’s head and consequently, King Mahabali was sent to a lower world (Patal Lok). Bhagwan Vishnu was so influenced by the devotion and charity of King Mahabali that he was granted the wish to visit his land and meet his people once a year. 

It is believed that Onam is the day when King Mahabali visits the earth to meet his devotees and the festival is a mark to celebrate the King’s homecoming. 

Onam Celebrations

Preparations begin ten days in advance (from the day of Atham). People decorate their houses and prepare delicious dishes. Events like boat races, dances, music, and banquets are also organised during Onam. This is also a harvest festival as the harvest of paddy, tea, ginger, cardamom and black pepper is ready around this time. Devotees also offer puja to Shri Hari Vishnu for peace and prosperity in life.

To know about Onam rituals, you can talk to our astrologers here.