Onam Atham

Atham

First Day of the Onam,  Athachamyam, Start of the onam Festival, Atham

Onam is a Ten day Long festival. First day of the onam festival is known as Atham. Last day of this festival is known as Onam or Thiruonam. The prevailing nakshatra of this day is Hasta (Atham).

On Atham day People wake up early in the morning, have ritual bath and offer prayers in the Temple.   Everyone have the break fast of steamed bananas and papad for these ten days. Youngsters decorate the Swing with beautiful flowers and ply with it by singing Oonjal songs.

From the Atham day people start making the Pookalam. People start adding more designs and flowers to this pookalam. This is done to welcome the King Maha bali.

Athachamyam

A great procession named Athachamyam is carried out on Atham day. This Procession marks the beginning of the ten day onam festival. This consists of folk arts, dance, music and elephant processions.

Chithira - Second Day of The Onam

Chithira - Second Day of The Onam

Chithira, Day two of the Onam festival, Onam Festival Days

Onam is the ten day long festival. Second day of this festival is known as Chithira. This day is named as Chithira because this day is observed on Chitra nakshatra. Devotees visit the temples in the early hours and have the breakfast of steamed bananas and papad.

On Chithira day, girls decorate with more flowers and extend the pookalam that they drawn on Atham day. they do this to invite Lord Maveli (Maha bali).

Chodhi - Day Three of the Onam

Chodhi - Day Three of the Onam

Chodhi, Chothi, Choti, Chodi, Third day of the Onam, Onam Days

Third day of the onam festival is knwon as Chodi. This day is also called as Chothi or Chodi. Swathi (Chothi) Nakshtra prevails on this day. Onam shopping starts from this day. Gifts are presented to the every one in the family.

On Chodhi day, people visit the temples. Pookalam also increases its size and include more flowers on this day. People also take their regular ritual breakfast (bananas and papad).

Visakam - Day Four of the Onam

Visakam - Day Four of the Onam

Viskam, Visaakam, Visagam, Vishakam, Fourth day of the Onam, Onam Days

Visakam is the fourth day of ten day onal festival celebrations. This day is known as Visgam, Viskam and Vishakam. The prevailing nakshatra of this day is Visaakam (Vishaka).

Visakam is one of the most auspicious days of Onam. Onasadhya preparations start from this day. people start onam related competitions (pookalam and other) from this day. Lot of market activities witnessed on this day.

Anizham - Day Five of the Onam

Anizham - Day Five of the Onam

Anizham, Fifth day of the Onam, Onam Days

Day five of the ten day onam celabration is known as Anizham. The prevailing nakshatra of this day is Anizham (Anuradha). More flowers and designs are added to the Pookalam. Preparations for the thiruonam (tenth day of the onam) start in the homes.

Anizham is the important day during the onam. Vallamkali event (Snake boat race) is organized at the river Pamba at Aranmulla. boatsmen wear traditional dhoti and turban. They sing rhythm of vanchipattu(boat songs). Large number of national and international visitors gathered at the banks.

Thriketa - Day Six of the Onam

Thriketa - Day Six of the Onam

Triketta, Thriketa, Sixth day of the Onam, Onam Days

Sixth day of the ten day onam celebration is known as Thriketa. This day is also known as Triketta. The prevailing nakshatra of this day is Thriketa (Jyesta). Pookalam gets more elaborated today with fresh flowers.

Thriketa is the home coming time for the people who work away from the home. It is the time of family gatherings and cultural activities. Thiruonam joy builds up from this day.

Moolam - Day Seven of the Onam

Moolam - Day Seven of the Onam

Moolam, Onam moolam, Seventh day of the Onam, Onam Days

Seventh day of the ten day onam carnival is known as Moolam. The prevailing Nakshatra of this day is Moolam (Moola). Festival environment visible everywhere in kerala with just two days left to the main festival Thiruonam.

Pookalam elaborated in a new design with kondattam (gaiety) which includes the most beautiful flowers. Traditional Onasadhya start in many places and temples. Puli Kali (masked leopard dance) and Kaikotti kali performed in many places.

Uthradam - Day Nine of the Onam

Uthradam - Day Nine of the Onam

Uthradom, Uthradam, Onam Uthradam, Ninth day of the Onam, Onam Days

Onam festival is a Ten day celebration. Ninth day of this festival is known as Uthradam. Prevailing Nakshatra of this day is Uthraadam (Uttara Ashadha). People make arrangements to invite the King Mahabali. People celebrate Uthradam as first Onam and Thiruonam as Second Onam. Onakazhcha is the tradition of this day.

Pookalam gets nice design on this day with the special flowers. According to the myths, the king will spend the next four days touring his erstwhile kingdom.

Pooradam - Day Eight of the Onam

Pooradam - Day Eight of the Onam

Pooradam, Onam Pooradam, Eighth day of the Onam, Onam Days

Pooradam is the Eighth day of the festival of Onam which continues for ten days. With the only one is left for the festival now, enthusiasm grips the state of Kerala. Poorada Uttigal and Poorada unnikal are the main events of this day.

On Pooradam day, Idols of Mahabali and vaman are installed. From this day idols are called as Onathappan. Also the size of Pookalam become complexon this day. House cleaning and final shopping is performed for the Thiruonam day.