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Revision as of 18:46, 3 March 2005 by Oriondown (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Onam (ഓണം), a harvest festival, is the most important festival of Kerala, a state in India. It generally falls in the months of August-September. Most Indian festivals have some legend or myth associated with them. The legend behind the festival of Onam is as follows:
Long ago, Kerala was ruled by the demon (or Asura) king, Mahabali. Mahabali was a just and a wise ruler and dearly loved by all his subjects. He however incurred the wrath of the devas (gods) when he tried to extend his kingdom to patalam (the nether world), and to the heavens. The ruler of heaven and king of the devas, Lord Indra, was apprehensive of Mahabali's popularity and might, and approached Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity, for help and advice.
Vishnu then took on the shape of a (Vamana) Brahmin, (the Vamana is considered one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu), went to Mahabali and sought alms. Mahabali was a very generous man. He told the Vamana to request anything he wanted. The Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed to the request.
Immediately the Vamana began to grow in size until he became as big as the universe. With the first step, he covered the entire earth, with the next patalam, and there was no land left for his third step. Mahabali, who was a man of principles, in order to stay true to his word, asked the Vamana to step upon his head. The Vamana placed his foot on Mahabali's head and pushed him into patalam. However, before doing so, he granted Mahabali a boon. Mahabali requested to be allowed to return and country once a year to visit his people. As the legend goes, he comes to visit his people during the festival of Onam. In memory of the happy days of Mahabali’s rule, his annual home-coming is celebrated in Kerala with pomp and splendour.
The glory of those ancient times is recaptured in a popular folk song, which is sung all over Kerala:
When Mahabali ruled the land Everyone was equal Happily they lived Danger befell none There was no falsehood, or fraud And no untruth
Onam basically celebrates the mythical king Mahabali, his golden rule and his sacrifice. It welcomes the spirit of King Mahabali and assures him that his people are happy and wish him well.
The most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new dress worn on this day and ona sadhya, a feast which is quite elaborate. During Onam, people create a multi-colored floral decoration on the ground in the front of their home called a pookkalam. Young children are often entrusted with the task of gathering and laying out the flowers in elaborate patterns.
The Vallamkalli or the snake boat race is another event that is synonymous with Onam and is best seen at Aranmulla and Kottayam. About 100 oarsmen row huge and graceful snake boats and men and women come from far and near to watch the snake boats skim through the water.
This festival is also important because of its secular character. It is celebrated with equal fervour by the Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
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