Onam is the annual harvest festival of Kerala celebrated by Malayalis across the world in August or September. The 10 days long festival began on August 12 and will go on till August 23. The main celebration known as Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam will fall on Saturday, August 21.
Also known as the Sacred Onam Day or Sravan Mahotsav, the day pays homage to the homecoming of King Mahabali, Prahlada’s grandson with much pomp and show.
The story
As per legends, King Mahabali also known as Bali was a powerful Asura ruler of the southern state and was highly loved by his followers. But the followers of Lord Vishnu’s felt that Bali was getting more popular than their deity.
So, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and tricked Bali. He asked the Asura rules for a piece of land that he could cover in three strides. Just when Bali accepted the request, Lord Vishnu changed his shape and turned into a giant. With his first step, he covered the earth and heaven with the second one. When there was no place to cover, Bali had to give his head. Lord Vishu stepped on his head and pushed him underground. Bali requested Lord Vishnu if he could pay a visit to his people once every year, to make sure they are well. Lord Vishnu agreed to this and from then Onam was celebrated.
How people celebrate this day
Onam is one of the most auspicious festivals for Malayalis and is celebrated with a lot of gusto in the southern state. They don new clothes, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, decorate their house and make rangoli. There is also a tradition of taking part in friendly snake boat races, tiger plays to Kumathikali and a couple of other activities. On this day, there is also a tradition of sending good wishes for a prosperous year ahead. If you too want to send warm wishes and quotes to your loved one, here are some beautiful ones to choose from.
On this joyous occasion of Onam, I wish you happiness and good health. May you always enjoy the bounty of nature! Happy Onam.
May King Mahabali bless you with good health and happiness. May all your hopes, dreams and wishes come true. Wishing you a very Happy Onam!
May you always enjoy good fortune and the choicest bounty and nature. Happy Onam!
Cheers to the beautiful festival of Onam. May your life be filled with joy and happiness! Happy Onam!
Here’s wishing you health, wealth and happiness. May the spirit of Onam remain everywhere—wherever you go, whatever you do and whoever you might be with!
Like the bright flowers of Pokalam, may your life be filled with bright and beautiful colours. Happy Onam!
May the sweet fragrance of flowers fill our homes and the aroma of home-cooked delicacies tease our senses. Happy Onam!
Once more Onam is coming to remind us of Maveli’s golden rule. Let me take the pleasure to wish you and your family a very happy Onam festival!
O - Ormayude
N - Nanmayude
A - Aghoshangalde
M - Malayalikalude Ponnonam
Happy Onam!
Let's welcome King Mahabali, who comes to visit his subjects once a year during the festival season of Onam. Happy Onam to you and your family.
May this festival of Onam be a harbinger of cheer, good luck, peace and prosperity, that lasts the whole year. Wishing you a happy Onam!
Fortunate is the one who has learned to Admire, but not to envy. Good Wishes for a joyous ONAM.
Colourful Pookalam, vivacious melodies, and flavorful dining experience. Complete it with supplications to have a favoured year ahead till the following Onam celebration. Happy Onam!
The Onam celebration is an event for individuals to help themselves to remember the all-inescapable nature of the heavenly. I wish you and all your near ones, a Happy Onam and Tiruonam!
May the colours and joy of Onam fill your home and heart with happiness and prosperity. Happy Onam!
“Life becomes a festival when gaiety and culture blend. Onam delivers the message of both.” – Anonymous
“We celebrate Onam to commemorate a glorious past. All of us yearn for a time like that of King Mahabali, a time when prosperity, joy and love blended. But in order to realize this dream, we need to put forward creative and sustained effort.” – Anonymous
“We have lost the true spirit of Onam. Let each of our actions be a yajna for universal good. May the new clothes we wear be that of Dharma and faith. May our hearts be united in love and joy, and make life an everlasting Tiruvonam. Thus we can retrieve the lost Onam.” – Anonymous
Onam is the time for pookalam on the floor; Children on swings; tiger clad men with hunters behind them. People enjoying sadyas with family…” – Anonymous
