When Is Onam

The biggest and the most awaited festival for Malayalees in Kerela is the festival of Onam. The celebrations of Onam mark the start of the harvest season in the region. Onam falls during the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam Calendar. Onam 2007 is going to be observed on 27th August, Monday. Though, Onam is basically a harvest festival, a famous legendary story of Mahabali is also associated with it.

The origin of the festival of Onam finds it's origin in the Sangam period. It is believed that celebrations started at the time of Kulasekhara Perumals and continued for a month. But nowadays these celebrations goes on for ten days. With the harvest season basking, the beauty of Kerela is at it's best. After the month of ill weather of Karkidakam, which is the last month as per the Malayalam Calendar. Farmers are jubilating as their seeds are going to reap sweet fruits. Astrologically, the celebrations of Onam begins when there can be seen a Lunar Asterism, a constellation in the sky ten days before Onam. Whereas, Atham (Hasta) forms on the auspicious day of Onam. Thiru Onam, another name for Onam is parallel to the Sharavana Purnima in Hindu Calendar. The combined name for it has been given as Sravanotsavam. This is the time when sun is sitting right their in it's house as Pandits calculate. Especially, the entire Kerela is soaked into the festivities of the festival. Boat races at a bigger level are organized. The famous custom of the Elephant Parade carries out a grand procession of beautifully adorned elephants on the roads with people performing the traditional dance. An enticing ambiance is created thereby adding elegance and charm to the festival. Moreover, it holds a great importance for agrarian society in Kerela. They pray for a better harvesting season from God.