Onam Festival 2023: how is Onam celebrated, Story, Meaning, Pooja, significance

Onam Thiruvonam 2023: Dates, Timing of Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu

Like the major festivals of Indian, Onam ( August 29, 2023 Tuesday) is the most illustrious ancient festival of Kerala. It venerates the appearance of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the ensuing home visit of the legendary demonic Emperor Mahabali from Patala (the underworld). Lord Vamana had sent Mahabali to the underworld but allowed him to visit his kingdom once a year during Onam. On Thiruvonam day, the Emperor is believed to visit every home and meet his people. This ten day long festival grows with festive spirit among the locals and is celebrated with much splendour. It is celebrated in Chingam month of the Malayalam solar calendar. Chingam month is known as Simha month in other solar calendars and Avani month in Tamil Calendar. Nakshatra Thiruvonam prevailing in month of Chingam is considered for Onam celebration and. Thiruvonam Nakshatra is known as Shravana in other Hindu Calendars.

Thiruvonam Date 2023 - 29th August 2023 Tuesday
Thiruvonam Nakshatra Begins - On Aug 29, 2023 at 02:43 AM
Thiruvonam Nakshatra Ends - On Aug 29, 2023 at 11:50 PM

The celebrations and festivities begin on Atham day and continue for the next ten days till Thiruvonam day. The first day of Onam is regarded as Atham (August or early September). According the scriptures, the demoni King Mahabali was the greatest king under whose rule prosperity and grandeur according to his whims prevailed everywhere. To finish Mahabali’s rule on earth, Lord Vishnu emerged as a Vaman (short Brahmin) and tricked him into giving Him whatever land he owned. King Mahabali on his demonic deeds was sent to a lower world; but Vishnu also granted him a boon that he could visit his land once every year. Onam celebrates this home-coming of the King.

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Significance of Onam and Ten Days (2023):

The first day is Athan when King Mahabali prepares to go from Heaven to his kingdom on Earth. On this day, the state’s people get ready to welcome their king.
The second day is Chithira. On this day, a carpet of flowers is made called Onam Pookalam.
The third day is called Chodhi Pookkalam, when another layer is added to the carpet of flowers using four to five types of flowers.
Visakam is the fourth day of this festival, and various types of competitions begin on this day.
The fifth day is called Anizham. On this day, preparations for the boat, the race takes place.
The sixth day is known as Thriketa, from which the festival holidays begin.
On the seventh day, special pujas are organised in Moolam temples.
The eighth day is called Pooradam. On this day, the idols of King Mahabali and Vamana are installed at home.
The ninth day is called Uthradom. On this day, Mahabali enters Kerala.
Thiruvonam is the tenth day. This is the most important day when King Mahabali is welcomed by the people of Kerala with full delight and reverence.

What Other Things You Can Do On This Day:

You may visit a Vishnu/Krishna temple and offer prayers. If a temple is not around, you can worship Him at your home in the early morning. The idols of Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with sandalwood, flowers, fruits and dhoop.
You can worship Lord Vishnu by using energized Vishnu Yantras.
One can simply meditate on Lord Vishnu and chant His mantra: ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’. This powerful mantra was given by Sage Narada to Dhruva Maharaja as described in the Bhagavat Purana (4.8.54).
You can also chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra on the Tulasi bead.
You can offer flowers and chant Vishnu Sahasranamam (Thousands name of Lord Vishnu). Chanting thousand names of Vishnu or Vishnu Strotram has a purifying effect on the mind and the body. You can also play it in the morning while you engage in daily works. More details here.
You can also perform a Vishnu Sahasranama Puja under qualified Brahmins. It is a highly recommended activity on this day. The puja includes Vishnu- Lakshmi Abhishek and Pujan, Vishnu mantra Japa- 1100 times, Vishnu Sahasranama Strotra followed by Homa and Aarti.
You can wear a Ten Mukhi and a Nineteen Mukhi Rudraksha beads for they are ruled by Lord Krishna and Narayana, respectively. Wearing these Rudraksha beads on this day purifies your inner self and strengthens your will power. They work like a shield on one's body and the wearer gets immense protection from negative energies, evil eye and psychic attacks.
Donate clothes, food grains, umbrellas, hand-fans, pitchers filled with water and any other items to Brahmins.

Auspicious Pujas To Be Performed On Onam

Vishnu Sahasranamam

You can also perform a Vishnu Sahasranama Puja under qualified Brahmins on during Onam festival. Vishnu Sahasranama Puja includes devotional Vedic hymns that glorify one thousand names of Lord Vishnu. These hymns are described in the 149th chapter Anushasanika Parvam of the Mahabharata. Bhishma Pitamaha teaches the Vishnu Sahasranama to King Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas. The puja includes Vishnu- Lakshmi Abhishek and Pujan, Vishnu mantra Japa- 1100 times, Vishnu Sahasranama Strotra followed by Homa and Aarti. This puja includes Vishnu- Lakshmi Abhishek and Pujan, Vishnu mantra Japa- 1100 times, Vishnu Sahasranama Strotra followed by Homa and Aarti.
Benefit of this puja:

Best for those seeking to build wealth and double their investment
Gives success at personal and professional levels
Grace of Lord Vishnu (Lord Vamana)
Removes inauspiciousness from your home

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