Happy Onam

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supercool3

@supercool3

Alumni

+ 5

Posted: 12 years ago

(Melz & Jillu looking sad)

Jillu: We have no social life! 😭

Melz: And we put our brains to use more than needed. Do you know what

too much thinking leads to? 😲

Jillu: Umm, brain dead? 🤓

Melz: No! Gray hairs !

Jillu: Hawww ! I'm too young to be looking so old 😭

Melz: Me too ! 😭 We need to give ourselves a good break!

Jillu: But what can we do instead? 😕

(Both are trying to figure this out when Tanu comes running in)

Tanu: Guys, it's Onam ! 🥳

Melz: What's that? 😕

Tanu: Onam is a festival that celebrates the homecoming of our King Mahabali! It is the biggest celebration ever for everyone from Kerala. ⭐️

Melz: King and celebration?😲 That sounds fun! Maybe we should join too. What do you say Jillu?

Jillu: How do we join the celebration without knowing much about it? 🤔

Tanu: Don't worry. I'm here na. I'll teach you guys about Onam. By the end of it, you would be ready to celebrate it this year!⭐️

Jillu: Sounds like a plan! We're totally in. 😃

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Onam is a major festival that is celebrated in Kerala. It marks the return of King Mahabali to the state each year. The festival occurs during the harvest season which is already very important to the people of Kerala.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

The Onam festival is magnificent to watch, and people from many parts of the world come down to Kerala to take part in it. Plus, Onam is not restricted to any specific religion in Kerala. Everyone from every culture, religion would be seen celebrating the festival with spirit

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Edited by supercool3 - 12 years ago

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supercool3

@supercool3

Alumni

+ 5

Posted: 12 years ago

The Legend of King Mahabali

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Kerala was once ruled by an king (asura) Mahabali. Everybody was happy in the empire and he was highly respected by everyone. Looking at the growing popularity and fame of king Mahabali Gods became insecure and threatened by him. The Gods sought help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by the king Mahabali. The king was very generous and charitable so to test him out, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called Vamana. Disguised as Vamana, Lord Vishnu said he was a poor man and asked the king for a piece of land. Vamana wanted as much land as could be covered by his three steps. Just as king Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamana began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

With his first step Vamana covered the whole of earth and with the other step he covered the whole of the skies. He then asked the king where is the space for him to put his third foot. The king realized that the Brahmin boy was no ordinary boy and how his third step will destroy the earth hence asked the boy to place his last step on his head. Vamana placed his foot on the head of the king, which pushed him to patala, the nether world.

Lord Vishnu revealed his true identity seeing the kinds generosity and granted a boon to the king.

King Mohabali requested Lord Vishnu to be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year as he was very attached to his empire and the people living there. Lord Vishnu granted permission and blessed him

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

It is the day of the visit of king Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali.

Edited by supercool3 - 12 years ago

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Meli/Melz/Aahanaa

@Aahaana

Alumni

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

Now that's what you call a true legend! Don't you agree?

And of course such legends should be commemorated each year with nothing short

of royalty !

So how is Onam celebrated?

Well let me tell you, Onam celebrations occur over a time period of 10 days 😳

Each day has its own special meaning and recognizes different things

Day 1 - Atham

The tradition of laying Pookalam (a carpet made out of flowers which is in a similar manner to Rangolis) starts on this day. The size of the design is small on this day as it is just the beginning and only yellow flowers are used. Households also install statues of Mahabali and Vamana at the entrances.

H A P P Y O N A M. H A P P Y O N A M. H A P P Y O N A M

Day 2 - Chithira

On this day a second layer is added to the pookalam (either orange or a different shade of yellow)

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 3 - Chodhi

The size of the pookalam grows even larger as more layers are added with various different flowers. People also start buying new clothes from this day onwards.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 4 - Vishakam

This is probably one of the most important days of Onam. In earlier eras, the markets used to open up for harvest sale, and it's recorded to be one of the most busiest days.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 5 - Anizham

If you love water and racing then this is for you ! On Anizham, the Vallam Kali (Snake Boat) is kick-started in Kerala. A mock version is presented on this day as a rehearsal for the main one that will occur after Onam.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 6 - Thriketa

And finally the holidays arrive! Schools and public offices are given days off from the 6th day onwards and everyone is all set to meet with their family, relatives and friends. Also, the pookalam would've extensively grown in size with 5-6 flowers having been added.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 7 - Moolam

Many different festivities take place on this day as well as official Government celebrations having started around Kerala.

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Day 8 - Pooradam

A traditional ritual occurs on this day when small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house in a procession. Afterwards it'll be installed in the center of the pookalam. The statue is called "Onathappan" from this day onwards.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 9 - Uthradom

This is the Onam eve and the celebrations are on full swing. It is also considered the most auspicious day for purchase of vegetables and fruits for Thiruvonam. This day is also known as the First Onam as it marks the descending of King Mahabali onto Kerala.

H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M . H A P P Y O N A M

Day 10 - Thiruvonam

This is the final day of Onam and is also known as Second Onam. As per the myth, this is when Mahabali was sent to the underworld by Vamana. The day begins early in the morning as people clean their houses, take and early bath, wear new clothes, etc. Special payers and masses are organized by different institutions. The most important activity is the big feast, known as Thiruvona-Sadya.

Edited by supercool3 - 12 years ago