Today, Kerala celebrates Uthradam, also known as First Onam, marking the beginning of the much-awaited Onam festivities. This day is filled with excitement, energy, and a flurry of activity as households across the state prepare for Thiruvonam, the main day of the festival. The preparations for the grand feast, known as Onasadya, reach their peak on Uthradam, leading to the day’s rush, popularly referred to as Uthradapachil.
Uthradapachil is a term that signifies the hurried last-minute shopping for essentials such as vegetables, flowers, and other ingredients required for the grand Onam meal. The streets and markets are bustling as families stock up for the next day’s feast. There’s an old saying, “First Onam runs and jumps,” highlighting the frantic pace of the day. Uthradam is also special because the largest Pookalam (flower carpet), which began on Atham day, is completed on this day. In temples, particularly at Guruvayoor, a floral arrangement called Uthratakastha is prepared to commemorate the occasion.
As dusk falls, the Utrata lamp is lit to welcome Mahabali, the mythical king of Kerala, who is believed to visit his people during the Onam festival. This tradition is accompanied by offering food on tushanila (banana leaves) as a symbolic gesture of respect and remembrance for the ancestors. This act of devotion enhances the cultural significance of Uthradam, blending festivities with spirituality, making it a cherished day for all Malayalees.
