Onam
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Onam is the high spirited and the biggest festival in the
Indian state of Kerala. Onam or Thiruonam Festival falls during the Malayali month of
Chingam (Aug - Sep) and commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala a long time back. There goes the legend that the gods plotted the conspiracy against King Maha Bali for ending his reign. This festival recalls
the sacrifice of the great king Mahabali. The name Mahabali itself means the Great Sacrifice. The people of Kerala celebrates Onam festival to commemorate the memory of a Great King Mahabali who has kept his promise. He is known as the great martyr
for the sake of his true devotion to god and Satya- the truth.
The celebrations of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. This festival is known for intricately decorated
Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking snake boat races, traditional cuisines, songs and exotic
Kaikottikali dances. Thiruvonam day is considered to be very asupicious among Malyalees as King Mahabali is believed to visit every Malayalee's home on this day. There is a custom of cleaning and decorating the houses with flowers and on this day.One
can see the fine display of fireworks in the capital Thiruvananthapuram. Onam is also known as the harvest festival in Kerala.
Legends About Onam
The most known legend is that of Mahabali, the grandson of Prahalad, who was the ruler of all the three worlds after defeating the Devtas or devas. While performing the Yagna, it was declared by him that he would give anything that
is asked for during this Yagna. This was not liked by Gods and they approached Vishnu for his help to dethrone Mahabali. At this point of time there is very well known legend of
Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Vamana, a dwarf to defeat the Daityas, he reached the place where the Yagna was organised. He was received by the king Mahabali with all the traditional honours and was asked to tell his desire and was given
the commitmet by the king to fulfill it.
Vamana asked for the land covered by three footsteps of him. Mahabali was told by his advisors that the Vaman is no ordinary person and he has come here intentionally to take away all the holdings of the King. Mahabali was told not
to fulfill the demand of the Vamana but Mahabali was the king who would never like to go back on his promises. He told Vamana that he would honour his demand. Hearing this, Vaman grew enormously in size. The whole of earth was measured by his one foot and
with his second foot he claimed all of heaven. For the third footstep, Vaman was offered the head of Mahabali by the king. By seeing the devotion of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu granted him the premission to visit his devotees once every year. From then onwards,
Onam is celebrated in memory of King Mahabali who has gone against all odds to keep up his promises and is known for the great sacrifice done by their emporer .