Onam 2021: Thiruvonam dates, significance, and legend surrounding the day!
New Delhi: Onam, the auspicious and much-anticipated festival, falls on August 21 this year. Kerala’s largest harvest festival commemorates King Mahabali’s annual visit to the state he formerly ruled. It is celebrated on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam of the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIRUVONAM: The festival is held in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar, which is identical to the Hindu solar calendar used by people in other areas of India. The celebration lasts ten days and culminates with the most important day, Thiruvonam.
THIRUVONAM TIMINGS:
Thiruvonam on Saturday, August 21, 2021
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins – 09:25 PM on Aug 20, 2021
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends – 08:22 PM on Aug 21, 2021
Onam legend holds that King Mahabali, the most beneficent Raja of Kerala, visits his realm during the fortunate harvest festival to see his followers happy and prosperous.
Women participate in Pookolam (flower rangoli) and Kaikottikali, a dance genre. Women look stunning in an off-white Kasavu sari with a golden border, along with gold jewelry. The males are dressed formally in white Veshti (dhoti) and shirts.
People gather to partake in a variety of cultural activities to commemorate the festival as a whole. Boat race (Vallam Kali), Pulikali (traditional dance in the disguise of a tiger), and other Kerala-specific dance and art forms
Sadhya, an elaborate supper consisting of 26 culinary items, adds to the fervor of the celebrations.
However, despite the COVID-19 pandemic concern, celebrations remain low-key across the country, with scientists predicting the third wave.
