“ONAM”
Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is a 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, Onappottan, Athachamayam in Tripunithura,
Kaazhchakkula in Guruvayoor, Puli Kali,
Kaikottikkali, Kummaattikkali, Onathaar, Onachamayam, Onathallu,
Thrikkaakarayappan, Thumbi thullal, Onavillu etc. This is one of the very few
festivals which is celebrated with most number of cultural elements.
This year
Onam 2013 is on Monday, September 16
Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern
times. Kerala's rice harvest
festival and the
Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the Malayalam month of Chingam,
celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Sutala. Onam is
unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since
prehistory.
According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era
during the reign of King Mahabali. The Brahma-Vaivarta
Puranam explains that Lord Vishnu wanted to curb the pride of Indra; and
therefore positioned Mahabali in great power.
The Bhagavata
Purana reads "He
[Vishnu] will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and give it to
Bali Maharaja."
The subjects under Mahabali's reign were happy and
prosperous and the king was highly regarded, so much so that even the gods
under Indra became jealous of Mahabali as was
intened by Vishnu, and
they approached Vishnu claiming that Mahabali is now
equivalent to Indra. Once Vishnu was assured that Indra's pride has been
contained and that a world with two Indras represents imbalance, Vishnu assumed
the form of a dwarf: Vamana. Vamana
requested three steps of land for him to live in. Given a promise of three
steps of land by King Mahabali against the warning given by his Guru Sukracharya,
Vamana, enlarged himself to such dimensions as to stride over the three worlds.
He had grown so huge that he could step from heaven to earth, and earth to the
lower worlds in two simple steps. King Mahabali unable to fulfill the promise of three
paces of land to the Supreme God, offers his head for the third step. Thus,
Vamana places his foot on King Mahabali's head and sends him down to the
netherworld. Being worshipped however, by Mahabali, and his ancestor Prahláda,
he conceded to them the sovereignty of Sutala (netherworld).
However, as Mahabali was equivalent to Indra, he had to wait
until the next Yuga where he would be the Indra. In the
meantime, with the grace of Vishnu, Mahabali visited his people on an annual
basis. Vishnu served Mahabali as a gatekeeper in Sutala as the Lord himself
serves his greatest devotees.
It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam
every year. People celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their
dear King that they are happy and wish him well.
The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best
form and spirit during the ten-day festival. The central feature of Onam is the
grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine-course meal
consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves
and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.
Another popular feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake
Boat Race, held on the Pamba River,
in which decorative boats oared by hundreds of boatmen race amidst chanting of
songs and cheering by spectators and viewers.
There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called
Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played
with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and
Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed
flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King
Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two dances performed by women on
Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of
celebrations.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The
following song is often sung over Onam:
There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called
Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played
with a ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and
Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed
flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome
King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two dances performed by
women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the
zest of celebrations.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The
following song is often sung over Onam:
“
|
Maveli
nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole amodhathode vasikkum kalam apathangarkkumottillathanum kallavum illa chathiyumilla ellolamilla polivachanam kallapparayum cherunazhiyum kallatharangal mattonnumilla adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla balamaranangal kelppanilla |
”
|
...
Translation
“
|
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry; They were all free from harm. There was neither anxiety nor sickness, Deaths of children were unheard of, There were no lies, There was neither theft nor deceit, And no one was false in speech either. Measures and weights were right; No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless races |
”
|
Although this festival
has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam
is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the
wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is
peculiar to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity,
especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life's
unlimited joys.
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