'Onashamsakal' Google extends Onam wishes to Keralites with a Pookalam
Also known as 'Athappookkalam' the flora carpet is a key part of Onam celebrations in Kerala. The ten-day festival concludes on day of Thiruvonam with the traditional feast called Onasadhya. This year, Thiruvonam will be celebrated on September 15.
Onam, the ten-day-long harvest festival in Kerala, got underway on Friday, which is also the first day of 'Attham' according to the traditional Malayalam calendar. Though Onam is a ten-day festival, the main festivities are on the day of Thiruvonam, which falls on the 10th day after Atham, in the month of Chingam.
CREDIT: BCCL
Google wishes 'Happy Onam'
As Kerala gets into the festive mood, Google India on Friday extended Onam greetings to the people of the state.
"Saying Onashamsakal to all our chettas and chechis here with this Pookalam," Google India said in a social media post, which also featured a Pookalam (floral carpet).
Saying Onashamsakal to all our chettas and chechis here with this Pookalam we made ??? pic.twitter.com/Xz6p2XcVGW
¡ª Google India (@GoogleIndia) September 6, 2024
When is Onam celebrated?
Also known as 'Athappookkalam', it is a key part of Onam celebrations in Kerala, and while some prepare elaborate floral carpets on all the ten days, others do it on the last three days or just on the day of Thiruvonam, which culminates with the traditional feast called Onasadhya.
CREDIT: BCCL
This year, Thiruvonam will be celebrated on September 15.
Ten-day celebrations begin in Kerala
Athachamayam, the procession that officially announces the arrival of Onam, was held in Tripunithura, located in Ernakulam district of Kerala, on Friday.
Athachamayam, a cultural fiesta, marks the beginning of Onam celebrations in Kerala. Held every year at Thripunithura, near Kochi, this legendary ceremony commemorates a military victory of the erstwhile king. There is a magnificent procession, representing the king and his¡ pic.twitter.com/cTLdOs3Pxz
¡ª Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) September 6, 2024
Legend of Onam
Though Thiruvonam is celebrated by people in Kerala, the harvest festival finds its roots in Hindu mythology and the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu.
CREDIT: BCCL
Traditionally, it is believed that Asura King Mahabali, who ruled Kerala and under whom the region obtained unmatched prosperity, will return to meet his people during Onam.
It is believed that even the gods became jealous of Mahabali and sought the help of Lord Vishnu, who took the Vamana avatar to test him.
Disguised as a dwarf, Lord Vishnu approached Mahabali seeking three feet of land for him to meditate. When the king accepted Vamana's request, the dwarf grew into a giant and with two steps, covered the whole world and skies. When Vamana asked Mahabali where the space was to measure his third foot, the king bowed down and asked him to place his foot on his head. Pleased by this gesture of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu granted him his wish to visit Kerala once a year before sending him to the netherworld.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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