Onam is a Traditional Malayali
Festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates
the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary
Emperor Mahabali. It is the state festival of Kerala and falls during the month
of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for ten days. The festival is marked by
various festivities, including intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet
lunches, snake boat races, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali etc.
Pookalam: A flower carpet called 'Pookalam' is laid in front of every house to welcome the advent of the vanquished king, and earthen mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards.
Sadya: Traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast called 'Sadhya'. Onam also means new clothes for the whole family, sumptuous home-cooked delicacies on plantain leaf and the lingering aroma of the sweet Payasam.
King Mahabali: This is the history and story of King Mahabali-
A long long time ago, an Asura
(demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and
judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king
began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the
netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers.
Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas
pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers. Vishnu transformed
himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was
performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom,
Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him
against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary
person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked
him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going
back on one's promise. He kept his word.
The Vamana asked for a simple gift
— three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of
Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky,
blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realizing
that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as
the last step. Vishnu's fatal third step pushed
him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu
granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was
allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks
the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a
glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his
subjects.
Kathakali: iIt is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. Kathakali is a group presentation in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha.
Boat Ride: One of the main attractions of Onam, is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula and Kottayam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful Snake Boats called 'Chundans' are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra.
