!*! Happy Onam !*!

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Shivangi.

@caffeineaddict

Trailblazer

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Posted: 9 years ago

Onam, the biggest festival of Kerala, celebrates the harvest seasonwith joy and valor. According to a popular legend, the festival marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. Its importance is suggested by the fact that it was declared the state festival of Kerala by the State Government in 1961. Onam falls during the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar. This month corresponds to the month of Aug-Sept according to the Gregorian Calendar. The festival spans a period of four to ten days. The first day (Atham) and final day (Thiruonam) are the most important days of all. The festival is characterized by feasts, folk dances, songs, onam games, elephants, boats and flowers; in short, anything that explicitly portrays the culture of Kerala. Government of India utilizes the festival to the fullest by declaring Tourist Week during Onam to attract tourism to Kerala.

King Mahabali was once a mighty demon King of Kerala. He was the grandson of Prahlad, the devotee of Lord Vishnu and son of Hiranyakashyap, the king slain by Lord Vishnu's Narsimha Avatar. Mahabali was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu. During his reign, Kerala flourished. He was loved and highly regarded by his subjects and he was so powerful that he became the sole ruler of all the three realms of the Universe. Threatened by this, the Gods requested Lord Vishnu to intervene. It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated as a Brahmin boy Vamana. He met with King Mahabali after the latter declared to give anyone anything they desired. Vamana asked Mahabali to give him land equivalent to three paces of his feet. King Mahabali readily agreed even though his mentor told him that Vamana was no ordinary boy. But true to his principles, Mahabali could not take back his word. He told his guru that he had given his word and now even if Lord Vishnu came to take everything from him, he wouldn't refuse. So Vamana grew in size until he reached the Heavens. With one foot, he covered the earth and with the second, he claimed the Heavens. Mahabali was astonished to see this and he requested Vamana to take the third step on his head because he still owed him one foot. With that, Mahabali was sent to the Sutala and the place where Vamana placed his foot is now known as Thrikakkara and is the heart of Onam celebrations. Mahabali was said to have been granted one boon for the services to the people of Kerala. According to the boon, he could return from Sutala (underworld) and be with his people during the month of Chingam. Thus, it is believed that Mahabali still visits Kerala during Onam.

Celebrations of Onam begin with a flag-parade or Atthachamayam in Thripunithara (suburb in Kochi). The parade depicts all colors and cultures of Kerala using tableaux. The main center of the festival happens to be Vamanamurthi Temple in Kochi city, which is believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana. The festival of Onam has a lot of highlights like the Onasadya, or the nine course meal served on a banana leaf on Thiruonam; theVallamkali, the snake boat race held on River Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch boats being oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs. The Onakalikal, tradition to play games also marks the festivities of Onam along with Pookalam, the tradition of making beautiful flower mats to welcome King Mahabali.