The natives living in Kerala, India, eagerly look forward to the arrival of Onam, a festival having both cultural and spiritual significance. One of the seasonal features about Thiruvonam is that the bright colours of summer start to give way to welcoming autumn. This harvest festival takes place every year, and serves as a reminder of community, unity, and joyous celebrations that get families, friends, and neighbours together. 

Let's learn about Onam 2023, which shall soon charm us with its splendour, and explore the history of Onam, also, learn how devotees observe, enjoy, and cherish this festival.

Onam 2023 Date and Time

Onam is a 10-day long extravaganza celebrated by the devotees in the form of cultural events, festivities and various rituals. Thiruvonam is the last and the most significant day of this festival, which shall fall this year on August 29, 2023. Hence, this day is the Onam 2023 date, and time for the Thiruvonam Nakshathram shall begin at 2:43 am and conclude at 11:50 pm on this day itself.

As per the history of Onam, each day honours a different deity for their blessings and presence. These days are an opportunity for families to come together, decorate their homes with floral rangolis called 'Pookalams' and prepare for the grand feast.

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Let us learn about all the days and their details leading to the Thiruvonam Celebrations -

Significance of Onam

Known as the Festival of Harvest, Onam is a significant festival for the individuals living in Kerala and celebrated with much devotion and enthusiasm. As it is celebrated mainly in the Malayali-speaking region, it is said that on this day, Ditya Raj Mahabali descends to the Earth from Heaven to bestow blessings on its devotees. The legendary King Mahabali had ruled in a way appreciated and called it the golden age of harmony, equality and prosperity. As per mythology, the story of Onam says that Lord Vishnu gifted him the boon to visit his kingdom once a year. For this, devotees begin preparations 10 days in advance by decorating their houses with colourful flowers and rangolis, making delicious delicacies and shopping for new attires. The Thiruvonam Celebrations make it the most vibrant festival in India, and also the government celebrates it as a tourist event. If you visit Kerala during this fest, you will witness boat races, music, dance and many other rituals of Onam.

Celebration of a good, satisfactory harvest is another significance of Onam as it is the period when Kerala has the yield of ginger, tea, black pepper, cardamom and paddy ready.

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Onam 2023: Rituals & Traditions

Individuals perform several rituals of Onam due to its spiritual significance. One of these is laying an elaborate and vibrant floral carpet known as Pookalam. Made using colourful flowers and displaying creative and artistic skills of individuals, this Pookalam is made to be bigger and more complex each day. 

The traditional boat race, Vallamkali, is another attraction during the Onam festival. It is held in the serene backwaters and is an exciting extravaganza that brings communities together and showcases their strength and unity.

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Onam 2023: Thiruvonam Celebrations 

Talking about Thiruvonam, the 10th day of the fest, it is the most significant day of Onam and depicts unity, joy and tradition. It usually falls in August and September. Individuals wake up early on this day, take traditional baths and offer prayers. The highlight of Thiruvonam is the Onam Sadya - a lavish vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. In the Sadya, the individuals are served a plethora of traditional dishes, including sambhar, rice, pachadi, olan and types of payasams. It defines the cultural richness and diversity of the Kerala Cuisine. Further, the ritual of Onam represents the spirit of togetherness and sharing, as all this happens by inviting friends and relatives to join and spend the day communicating, laughing and engaging in various rituals. 

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Wrapping Up

Onam 2023 is more than just a festival. It is a celebration of the culture, tradition and the spirit of unity. As we now know about Thiruvonam and the festivities that take place on its preceding days, we can understand well how the sense of togetherness is evoked by this 10-day fest. The significance of this fest can be understood by the story of Onam and the various traditions by which it engages individuals. This festival shows how the cultural traditions have the power to bridge gaps and bring hearts closer.

Let us all embrace the spirit of Onam 2023.

Happy Onam!