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Onam
Onam is the national festival of Kerala.
It is celebrated is during the month of
August-September. The festival cherishes
the memory of the legendary King Mahabali
and his prosperous reign during which, perfect
communal harmony and prosperity prevailed.
It was a glorious period and people were
happy. The King Mahabali's popularity was
at its height and led to the envy of the
Gods. This golden age ended when Vamana,
the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu expelled
him from his throne to the neitherlands.
But Mahabali was allowed to visit his dear
subjects once in a year.
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He visits his dear Kingdom during the first
Malayalam month of Chingam an occasion that
fills the whole state with joy and merriment.
Onam is also the harvest season. Nature
is divinely beautiful and Kerala becomes
lush green with the spring season. Flowers
bloom in plenty and butterflies bring a
rainbow of colour. The people decorating
their houses with `Onapookalam´ or
floral arrangements on floor to welcome
Mahabali. A grand lunch with 21 curries
and three types of sweet porridges or `payasam´
are prepared and enjoyed with fervour. Songs
in praise of Mahabali and his golden reign
are sung along with kaikottikali –
danced by maidens in the household. Onam
is is celebrated in ten day long festivities.
Atham is the first day of celebrations and
Thiruvonam is the grand finale. Uthradom,
the day before Thiruvonam, is a day of great
significance. From Atham to Thiruvonam,
on all days, people make floral decoration
in the front yard or verandah of their houses.
The idol of Thrikkakara Appan (synonym of
Mahabali) made of clay is placed in the
middle of the floral decoration with utmost
reverence and devotion.
On Thiruvonam day special pujas are offered
in temples early in the morning after which
elder members of family will give presents
to the younger members. All people of Kerala
without exceptions celebrate Onam. The season
is celebrated in the state with tourist
festivals. The state Tourism organisations
conduct various cultural events, shows,
exhibitions, boat races, community feasts
etc during this season. Onam is one of the
oldest existing festivals of India.
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The
Harvest Festival
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular
festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates
a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part
of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee.
It
brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the
wings of folklore, of a bygone Utopian era of
prosperity, equality and righteousness, under
the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year,
for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective
of caste, creed or colour, join together to
welcome back their vanquished king.
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The
ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September,
coinciding with the beginning of the
harvest season.
The Legend
According to local belief, in a war
that took place between the gods and
the demons, the demons won. Deeply hurt
by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their
mother prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy
Mahabali, the demon king.
Consequently,
Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin
boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked
him to grant him three steps of land.
The wish was granted and Vamanan covered
the whole land with his two steps and
then he came back to the King asking
him where can he place the third step.
The
king to honour his word, offered his
head as the third step. Vamanan pushed
Mahabali deep down into the earth. Pleased
by his honesty and generosity, the lord
in turn granted him a wish that he could
he could visit his kingdom and people
on a particular day once a year.
The
Festivity
Preparation of a floral carpet called
"Athappookkalam" in front
of houses, from the first day of 'Atham'
to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is
part of the festivities, which is a
symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali.
The
state government conducts Tourism Week
celebrations in connection with Onam,
showcasing the gems of Kerala's culture.
Onam resonates with Carnivals, Boat
Races, Dance, Music and Feast.
A
sumptious meal on plantain leaf and
the traditional sweet dish of Kerala
'Payasam' etc are served in every house
The pomp and pageantry of Onam reflects
the Keralite's zest for all the beautiful
things of life.
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Rituals
Onam is celebrated throughout Kerala;
singing and merry making is its hallmark.
Onam depicts the story of Mahabali the
king who rules the country during a time
of prosperity. He still visits Kerala
annually to bless the people. The women
dress up and decorate the entrance to
their homes to welcome Mahabali. The whole
state comes alive with festivity and activity.
A time for prayers and ceremonies, a time
to celebrate and rejoice, a time for fun
and sports. A time for the snake boat
festival.
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ONAM
AND SOUTH INDIA
Onam being celebrated in Tirupati also confirms
the fact that Onam was popular in the southern
region before becoming confined to Kerala
after the 10th century AD. |
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Mangudy
Marudanar, one of the noted poets of the
Sangam Age, is said to have Commemoration
Of A Glorious Past described the Onam celebrations
in the Pandyan capital of Madurai in one
of his poems. Onam has been around for a
long time. Apparently it used to be celebrated
during the Sangam period in the first few
centuaries C.E. Onam festivities have been
recorded during the time Kulasekhara Perumals
(800 C.E.). Those were the days when Onam
used to be a full month long. |
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