Onam 2022: History, Significance, Date, Rituals And How to Celebrate

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Onam 2022: History, Significance, Date, Rituals And How to Celebrate This Kerala Festival

• Happy Onam 2022: Onam is the harvest festival celebrated vastly in Kerala. It marks the beginning of the first month of the Malayalam Calendar Chingam. The festival also commemorates the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali as per ancient text. This year, Onam will be celebrated on August 30 and end on september 8. Onam is the festival celebrated by natives of Kerala.Also Read - Onam, Harvest Festival of Kerala: History, Significance, Onam Sadya, Boat Race | Onam 2021

History

• According to Mythology, King Mahabali was the greatest king of Kerala. As per ancient texts, it was believed that during his reign the people of Kerala has the best time, prosperity and ruled everywhere.
  
• Once happened, was Lord Vishnu in Vamana avtar went to King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu asked King for property rights over a piece of land that measured “three paces”.
  
• The king agreed to this wish and then the Vamana avtar grew in size and covered everything in just 2 steps. To Keep his word and honour, Mahabali offered his own head for the third and final step.
  
• Impressed by the gesture, Lord Vishnu blessed Mahabali that he would visit his kingdom once in a year. So, every year people of his kingdom (Kerala), celebrate this festival of home coming of their beloved king Mahabali.
  

Significance

• The festival of Onam celebrates the appearance of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and also the home coming of King Mahabali. During the Onam festival, women of Kerala create carpets of vibrant flowers in front of their homes. Also, people wear new clothes called Onakkodi and sees people taking taking part in multiple rituals like boat races. Onam begins on Atham day and continues for the next 10 days till Thiruvonam day.

Rituals:

• Day 1 Atham: The day when King Mahabali prayers tgo to heaven that is to his kingdom of earth.
• Day 2 Chithira: The day when a carpet of flowers is made called Onam Pookalam
• Day 3 Chodhi Pookkalam: The day when another layer is added to the carpet, using four to five types of flowers
• Day 4 Visakam: Different types of competitions begin on this day
• Day 5 Anizham: Preparations for boat race take place
• Day 6 Thriketa: Festival holidays begin
• Day 7 Moolam: Special Pujas are performed
• Day 8 Pooradam: Idols of king Mahabali and Vamana are installed at home
• Day 9 Uthradom: On this day King Mahabali enters Kerala
• Day 10 Thiruvonam: Final and last day, it is also considered the most essential day because King Mahabali is welcomed by people of Kerala. Elephants are decorated with different ornaments and various celebrations are held inside the temple.

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DELECTABLE SWEET DISHES YOU MUST TRY DURING ONAM 2022:

1. Uni Appam

(Picture Credit: Kannamma Cooks)

Onam would not be complete without Unni appam since it is required for all important occasions. The ideal Onam dessert is Unni Appam, which consists of rice, jaggery, banana, and chunks of roasted coconut.

2. Dry Fruit Kesari

(Picture Credit: Chitra’s Food Book)

Another traditional Keralan treat for Onam is Dry Fruit Kesari. This delicious treat is similar to Rava halwa and is made from rice and dry fruits.

3. Achappam

(Picture Credit: Kapilan Sachchithananthan/Twitter)

Another delicious sweet dish is Achappam, a magnificent circular cookie. Achappam, in contrast to other desserts, has a subtle sweetness but is quite delectable. It sounds more appealing because of how crisp and crackly it is.

4. Kozhukatta

(Picture Credit: TakeItEatsy/Instagram)

A common rice-based dumpling from South India that is filled with grated coconut, and jaggery. Despite being typically sweet, Kozhukattai occasionally includes a savoury filling.

5. Parippu Payasam

(Picture Credit: Kerala Tourism/Twitter)

The native Onam dessert known as Parippu Payasam is made with lentils, coconut milk, and jaggery. It is a wonderfully exquisite delicacy and one of Kerala’s most popular.

[tijundonghua60]

So delicious. It's nice to eat them. It looks amazing.