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HjkLiterature and epigraphical evidence suggests that Onam has a long religious context and
history in Kerala and neighboring parts of South India: [12]

 The earliest known reference to Onam is found in Maturaikkāñci – a Sangam era Tamil
poem. It mentions Onam being celebrated in Madurai temples, when games and duels
were held in temple premises, oblations were sent to the temples, people wore new
clothes and feasted.
 The 9th-century Pathikas and Pallads by Periyazharwar describes Onam celebrations
and offerings to Vishnu, mentions feasts and community events.
 An 11th-century inscription in the Thrikkakara Temple (Kochi) dedicated to Vamana – an
avatar of Vishnu – mentions a series of offerings made by a votary over two days prior
and on Thiru Onam.
 A 12th-century inscription in the Tiruvalla Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in
Kerala dedicated to Vishnu, mentions Onam and states a donation was made to the
temple as the Onam festival offering.
 Uddanda Sastrikal, a Sanskrit poet from the court of the Zamorin, has written about a
festival called śrāvaṇa.[14] It is presumed that this is none other than Onam as śrāvaṇa is
the Sanskrit name of the nakshatra Thiruvonam.
चोकुयन्ते पृ थुकततयश्चापतादिन्य उच्चै ः सर्वानार्यःपतिभिरनिशम् लम्भयन्त्यर्थकामान्।
बभ्रम्यन्ते सकलपु रुषै र्वल्लभाभ्यः प्रदातु म् चित्रम् वस्त्रम् श्रावणकुतु कम् वर्तते केरळे षु ॥
'Gangs of lads, playing their bows hoot loudly again and again; All women make their husbands
provide wealth and pleasure; All men are wandering hither and thither to present beautiful garments
to their women. The festivity of 'Sravana' takes place in Kerala.

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 A 16th-century European memoir describes Onam. It mentions among other things that Onam
is always celebrated in September, the Malayali people adorn their homes with flowers and daub
them over with cow's dung believing its auspicious association with goddess Lakshmi.
According to Kurup, Onam has been historically a Hindu temple-based community festival
celebrated over a period of many days.[12]
Significance

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