Day By Day Onam Festival Celebration:

Day 01 (Atham):

The very first of the Onam celebration is known as Atham also called as Athachamayam festival. People start decorating their household’s courtyard by making Pookalam which is also known as Athapoo that is the highlight of the first day of the Onam festival to welcome King Mahabali.

This is the best day to be in Cochin and enjoy the huge procession at Thripunithura in the outskirts of Cochin city. Here one can see the festival parade including all of the folk arts, temple dances, classic art forms of Kerala, flower carpet competition and snake boat race.

Day 02 (Chithira):

The second day of the ten-day-long Onam celebrations is known as Chithira.

There aren’t any unique or distinct traditions for the day but the devotee offer prayers as always.

People start making Pookalam in their household to welcome homecoming of their beloved king Mahabali which increase day by day in size and take an entirely significant extent on the ninth-tenth day of the Onam festival.

Day 03 (Chothi):

Chothi is the third day of the ten days last long harvest festival.

Lots of various activities make the complete day of a busy day.

Markets start getting full as the youngers start their shopping for their dear ones for the next upcoming days of the Onam festival.

The size of Pookalam gets more significant than the previous day.

Day 04 (Vishagam):

The fourth day of the Onam carnival is known as Vishagam or Visakam.

Stirring can be seen easily in the local markets.

Women start their preparation for the full food of Onasadya on the last day of the Onam festival which is Thiruvonam.

Pookalam also increases a little bit in size as per the previous day.

Day 05 (Anizham):

The fifth day of Onam festival is known as Anizham.

The main highlight of the fifth day is Vallamkali – the thrilling snake boat race.

Lots of famous competitions take place on the banks of the river Pamba on the fifth day of crop festival.

A large number of national and global travelers appear to enjoy the vibrant thrill of Vallamkali.

Day 06 (Triketta):

The sixth day of the Onam celebration is known as Triketta.

Lots of different cultural and social events organized on the day.

The size of the Pookalam increases gradually as compared to the previous day.

Folks of all religions caste and creed take part in the organized events with full of joy.

Day 07 (Moolam):

The seventh day of the Onam carnival is known as Moolam.

Every street colored with the vibrant colors of the different events and activities.

The size of Pookalam also increases a little bit as on the sixth day of the Onam festival.

Excited people can be seen in the vibrant market while shopping for the gifts for the loved ones.

Day 08 (Pooradam):

The Eighth day of the ten days long harvest festival is known as Pooradam holds significant devotional value in Onam festival.

Devotees make clay idols in the form of modest pyramids called which are locally known as Ma which well decorated with flowers.

One more exciting thing here is as the clay idols made on the day Pooradam, they also well known as Poorada Uttigal.

Day 09 (Utradam):

The ninth day of the harvest festival Onam known as Utradam or Uthradam.

Carnival can be seen all around as the people of Kerala are ready to welcome homecoming of their beloved king Mahabali.

Some Folks also mention Utradam as the very first Onam along with the next day Thiru Onam as the second Onam.

Day 10 (Thiruvonam):

Finally, the day becomes for which we all are waiting, the day of the homecoming of King Mahabali, the day of grand jubilation, the day to enjoy the delicious Onasadya, Onam. Biggest Pookalam of all the ten days ready to welcome their king Maveli. Pyramids of clay idols representing Lord Vishnu and Mahabali placed in the front of Pookalam.

The elder family members bring gifts and new clothes to the rest of the family members. Delicious Onasadya consisted of 10-13 compulsory dishes and served on a banana leaf. In a nutshell, various cultural events, games, dances, shows are the highlights of the day.

This is again the best day to be in Cochin and witness Pooram celebration at Trikkakkara village in Vamana Moorthy temple. Here you will see the decorated elephants and the people standing on top of the elephants doing the rituals and magnificent drummers.

In the evening, there is also a festival procession in Fort Kochi area.

Although Thiruonam is the last day of Onam Festival but for the travelers the excitement awaits in the cultural capital of Kerala – Trissur on Day 11 and Day 12.

On Day 11, you will see the stunning Kummattikali procession with elephants and Mahabali etc.

On Day 12, you will be thrilled to watch the tiger dances in the streets of Thrissur known as Pullikkali. These tiger dances have huge belly all painted with tiger face and pose as roaring tiger.