Onam celebrations to begin on Friday amid confusion over Atham day

Kozhikode: This year’s Onam celebrations will officially begin on Friday, despite confusion surrounding the exact timing of Atham star (nakshatram), the first day on Onam. Traditionally, Thiruvonam falls on the 10th day after Atham, but there has been uncertainty regarding whether Atham will be observed on Thursday or Friday this year.

The confusion stems from the fact that the Atham star, marking the first day of Onam, seems to have extended into another day. However, experts and calendars, including the Mathrubhumi calendar and ‘panchangam’ (a Hindu calendar and almanack that uses traditional Hindu timekeeping units and presents important dates and calculations in a tabular format), confirm that Atham will indeed fall on Friday.

Starting Friday, the ‘athappookkalam’ (flower carpet making), a key part of Onam celebrations, will take place at major locations such as Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple and Guruvayur Temple. This confirms that Atham day will be observed on Friday, rather than Thursday.

Jyotirmath Acharya Pandit Sadanam Narayana Poduval explained to Mathrubhumi that when a star appears over two days, if it lasts for more than six ‘nazhika’ (one nazhika equal to 24 minutes) on the second day, that day is chosen for auspicious events. This year, Atham on Friday lasts for seven and a half nazhika, making it suitable for the start of Atham day celebrations.

Despite this, some areas in Malabar have started preparing flower carpets from Thursday, not accounting for the ‘nakshatra vriddhi’ (one star falling on two days; vriddhi suggesting growth) phenomenon. A few places are even celebrating throughout the month of Chingam (August 17 to September 16).