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Onam, also called as Thiru Onam, is the biggest festival of Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in the Malayali month of Chingam (August ' September).
Onam festival represents the grand welcome to the demon king Mahabali. As per the popular belief, King Mahabali visits the state of Kerala during the festival of Thiru Onam.
Onam is celebrated for ten days. Starting from the Atham, Onam festival lasts for ten days and the tenth day is the most celebrated Thiru Onam. During Onam festival, Kerala people celebrate many events , games, cultural events, dances and singing songs.
Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, floral carpets welcoming King Mahabali brings out the cultural front of Onam festival. Pookalam are the floral designs made of flour and different colours and paints. Breathtaking, Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.
The Legend of King Mahabali
It is believed that there once lived a wise and generous asura (demon) king, Mahabali. He was highly regarded by his subjects and everybody was happy in in his kingdom.
Gods felt challenged with the growing popularity of Mahabali. They seeked help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana and came to the kingdom of Mahabali just after his morning prayers, when the King gave boons to the Brahmin.
The disguised Lord Vishnu asked for as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King made a promise to do so. Suddenly, Vamana increased to a massive size. With his one step he covered the whole of the sky and with the other he covered the whole of earth. He then asked for a place to put his third step. King realised that the boy was no ordinary Brahmin and asked Vamana to to put his third step on his head.
The boy did so, pushing Mahabali in the nether world, the patala. Lord Vishnu was pleased with King Mahabali generosity and granted him a boon. Deeply attached with his people, the King said he would like to visit Kerala and his people every year. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant the request.
It is this homecoming of King Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year.
Gods felt challenged with the growing popularity of Mahabali. They seeked help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana and came to the kingdom of Mahabali just after his morning prayers, when the King gave boons to the Brahmin.
The disguised Lord Vishnu asked for as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King made a promise to do so. Suddenly, Vamana increased to a massive size. With his one step he covered the whole of the sky and with the other he covered the whole of earth. He then asked for a place to put his third step. King realised that the boy was no ordinary Brahmin and asked Vamana to to put his third step on his head.
The boy did so, pushing Mahabali in the nether world, the patala. Lord Vishnu was pleased with King Mahabali generosity and granted him a boon. Deeply attached with his people, the King said he would like to visit Kerala and his people every year. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant the request.
It is this homecoming of King Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year.
Another Version of the Legend
There is another legend related to King Mahabali but with a different view point. It says, though, King Mahabali was a wise and judicious ruler, he was also very egoistic. He was a devout worshiper of Lord Vishnu and the Lord wanted to redeem his devotee of the sin.
Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana and asked for a piece of land from the King. The egoistic King said he may have as much land as he wanted. Vamana replied that he want only as much land as could be covered by his three steps. To this the King laughed and made a promised to do so.
The Brahmin boy increased in cosmic proportions. With his one step he covered the whole of sky and with the other, the whole of the earth. King Mahabali realised that the boy was God himself who came on a purpose and offered his head to place his third step. This pushed the king to the nether world, patala. It proved to be a blessing for the King as it released him from the cycle of life and death. This is why, Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes. People resolve to lead a new life of honesty, piousness, love, and humility.
May the spirit of Onam appear everywhere at all times!!š
Onaashmsakal to you!š
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