Chithira is the second day of grand Onam celebration. The Chithira day falls in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar. In 2022, Chithira Onam date is August 31.
This day has a special and unique significance in the celebrations of Onam. The people take shower in the early morning and visit the nearby or local temples in order to get the blessing of the Almighty. Then on return from temple, they add new and fresh colorful flowers to the floral carpet which was laid on the day of Atham.
Right from the second day, the people start initially making their entire major and minor plans and programmes for the big day that is Thiruvonam. It is to be noted that each and every major and minor events are discussed in detail among the family members, relatives, friends and neighbours. It is made sure that nothing is incomplete for that big day that is the tenth day of Onam celebration.
For the occasion of Onam celebration, a long and important shopping list is successfully and carefully prepared by the family members for the family. It is to be remembered that it is time for the family members and especially the children to get prepared to demand. The demand may be all their pending dreams and wishes. The younger family member and children know that all their personal wishes would be wholeheartedly granted on this special occasion.
The second day is marked off with cleaning the house-hold by the family members to prepare for the Thiruvonam day. On this day, a second thick layer of flowers are added to the floral carpet design. Normally people use creamy yellow and mostly orange color flowers on this day.