
Onam 2023 is celebrated in accordance with the dates of the Malayalam calendar. This festival occurs on the Shravana asterism, which is the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatram in the month of Chingam. According to the Gregorian calendar, however, this festival will fall on the 29th of August, this year.
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 02:43 AM on Aug 29, 2023
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 11:50 PM on Aug 29, 2023
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 08:32 PM on Sep 14, 2024
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 06:49 PM on Sep 15, 2024
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 11:44 PM on Sep 04, 2025
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 11:38 PM on Sep 05, 2025
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 10:51 PM on Aug 25, 2026
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 12:48 AM on Aug 27, 2026
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 02:58 AM on Sep 12, 2027
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 06:04 AM on Sep 13, 2027
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 01:23 AM on Sep 01, 2028
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 04:03 AM on Sep 02, 2028
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 01:23 AM on Sep 01, 2028
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 04:03 AM on Sep 02, 2028
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 04:51 AM on Aug 22, 2029
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 05:39 AM on Aug 23, 2029
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 07:58 PM on Sep 08, 2030
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 07:00 PM on Sep 09, 2030
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Begins - 07:18 AM on Aug 30, 2031
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends - 04:43 AM on Aug 31, 2031
Onam is celebrated across a period of 10 days in the state of Kerala, and it marks the return of King Mahabali every year. Apart from this, the festival also commemorates the incarnation of Lord Vishnu that came to be known as Vaman Avatar. The festival is celebrated annually, and this year, it will befall on August 29th, which is also known as Thiruvonam. According to the ancient traditions, the adage of “Atham 10 Onam” is very popular as this festival begins from Atham Nakshatra or Hasta Nakshatra, and the final day of the festival ends on Thiruvonam Nakshatram or Shravana Nakshatra. It is an extremely revered festival of the Hindus and is celebrated amidst great pomp and splendor in Kerala. This festival of 10 days aptly depicts the festive spirit of the people of Kerala as they spend the day with enthusiasm and splendor.
This 10-day festival is celebrated with a lot of excitement, and each day marks a different activity that is organized to welcome the demon King Mahabali each year. Here is how Keralites celebrate this festival each year:
A grand feast known as Onam Sadhya is prepared on this occasion. Around eleven to thirteen delectable dishes are cooked for this feast by the womenfolk of the house. The following dishes are some of the popular dishes that are served on this festival on a banana leaf for all to savor-
This festival is a harvest festival that falls each year in the months of August or September as per the Gregorian calendar. However, according to the Malayali calendar, this festival falls in the month of Chingam, that is, the twenty-second Nakshatra. The first day of the festival starts on the day of Atham and comes to a finale on the tenth day that is called Thiru Onam. Apart from this, Thiru Onam marks the beginning of the Malayali calendar, which is also called Kolla Varsham.
King Mahabali was a demon king. However, despite coming from the asura clan, he was a benevolent and kind king. Prosperity and abundance reigned supreme under his rule. It was for this reason precisely that his reign is often regarded as the golden rule in the state of Kerala. As a consequence, his homecoming every year is an occasion of celebration across Kerala.
This festival is also celebrated as a harvest festival in India. Rice being the primary crop cultivated in Kerala, this festival celebrates the first harvest of rice each year.
The festivities associated with this day are traditionally centered around nature and its many blessings to us in our everyday life. Here are some of the prominent rituals of this festival:
As per the scriptures, and especially the Vaishnava mythology, Mahabali was a demon who came to power by defeating the Gods. He took over the reigns of the three worlds by his power and might. As his popularity grew, it irked the Gods, who then sought help from the preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu, to defeat Mahabali in battle. Lord Vishnu did not want to fight the demon since Mahabali was a staunch devotee of Vishnu. However, the God agreed to help the devtas.
Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as a dwarf Brahmin that later came to be known as the Vaman avatar among his Dasavatars. He visited Mahabali and asked him to fulfill three of his wishes, given that Mahabali was believed to be so generous. He tricked the king into granting his wish of a piece of land that measured only “three paces.” The dwarf Brahmin then grew in size, covering all that the Mahabali owned in “two paces.” Mahabali was a man of his words. With only one pace left, Mahabali offered his head since he no longer had anything to give other than himself.
Impressed by the devotion shown by Mahabali, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon to visit the Earth each year once, and it is this annual homecoming of the King that is celebrated with extravagance in the name of the Onam festival.
Since this day has such a huge significance, it is celebrated with a lot of vigor and excitement. People look forward to spending this day to welcome the harvest season with a smile on their faces!
To know the auspicious muhurats related to this festival and to get expert advice, connect with the Astroyogi astrologers.
Date | Monday, 30 January 2023 |
Tithi | Shukla-Dashami |
Day | Monday |
Paksha | Shukla-Paksha |
Sunrise | 7:11:3 |
Sunset | 17:58:45 |
Moonrise | 12:41:16 |
Nakshatra | Krittika |
Nakshtra Till | 22 : 17 : 30 |
Yog | Brahma |
Yog Till | 34 : 58 : 6 |
Karan I | Taitil |
Surya Rashi | Capricorn |
Chandra Rashi | Taurus |
Rahu Kal | 08:32:00 to 09:52:58 |