Normally, the largest chunk of Onam celebrations end by Thiruvonam. However the two days following Thiruvonam are also celebrated as Third and Fourth Onam. The third Onam, called Avvittom marks the preparations for King Mahabali's return ascension to heavens. The main ritual of the day is to take the Onathappan statue which was placed in the middle of every pookkalam during the past 10 days and immerse it in nearby rivers or sea. The pookkalam will be cleaned and removed after this. The day is also important, as the famousPulikali is held in the city of Thrissur. In this, men dressed as lions, tigers and leopards, parade through the city in large numbers. The Puli-Kali also mark the end of traditional Onam celebrations.
The fourth day of Onam is called as Chatayam. The official government celebrations ends on this day with a mega dance festival in the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.
Palada prathaman, Tomato kichidi,mathan pachidi, cabbage thoran,elavan chenai kuttu aviyal,olan, stew, kalan, puliinji ,sadam, sambar ,rasam, thiyr , pappadam, pazam..
Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. It is one of the rarest festivals which is celebrated by a complete State, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali (locally known as Maveli) has been revered by the people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Thrikkakarappan[5][6] is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam). The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. In 2016, Thiruvonam fell on the 14th of September.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:
| “ | Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam, manusharellarum onnupole amodhathode vasikkum kalam apathangarkkumottillathanum. adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla balamaranangal kelppanilla Dushtare kankondu kanmanilla Nallavarallathe illa paaril..illa paaril kallavum illa chathiyumilla ellolamilla polivachanam kallampparayum cherunazhiyum kallatharangal mattonnumilla Vellikolaadikal naazhikalum Ellam kanakkinu thulyamaayi..thulyamaayi | ” |
... (Translation)
| “ | When Maveli ruled the land, All the people were equal- Times when people were joyful and merry; They were all free from harm. There was neither anxiety nor sickness, Deaths of children were unheard of, No wicked person was in sight anywhere All the people on the land were good. There was neither theft nor deceit, And no false words or promises. Measures and weights were right; There were no lies, No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless race | ” |
Onam mythology may have been devised as a political allegory/tool where by the subjects could remind the rulers about an Ideal King and a welfare state. Onam songs mentions many of the modern social/economic indicators of a Welfare State including Crime rates, Child Mortality rates etc. Rulers may also have promoted it as it may have served as an indicator/barometer of the popularity/unpopularity of their Governance policies. The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
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