Happy Onam to all dear friends.....
Onam is the biggest and the most important
festival of the state of Kerala. It is also the Harvest Festival of Kerala with
State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the fourth Onam
Day. It is also a secular festival, celebrated by people of all religions and
castes with the same zeal. The festival falls during the Malayalam month of
Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who
Malayalees consider as their King. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian
past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and
brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated
Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic
Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest
festival in Kerala. Also, it is one of the very few festivals that is
celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikkali,
Pookkalam, Onattappau, Thumbi Thullal etc.
Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the
month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This
corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.
Coinciding with the harvest season, Onam marks a joyful completion of human
efforts, with a prayerful optimism for the future. People of all religion,
caste and community celebrate the festival with equal joy, underlining the
secular fabric of our society.This unique festival brings out the rich cultural
heritage of Kerala in it’s best form and spirit.
Story behind Onam
Story goes that during the reign of mighty
asura (demon) king, Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in
the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his
subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming. He was
egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali's character was utilized by Gods to bring
an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing popularity.
However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he
could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached.It is this visit
of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate
the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are
happy and wish him well.
Typical Onam Sadhya
Pookalam
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