Onam

Onam

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, there lived a demon king named Mahabali. He ruled over the land of Kerala. He was an ardent worshipper of Lord Vishnu. Mahabali was a wise and kind ruler. It is said that during Mahabali's reign people never felt the need to lock their doors at night because there were no thieves, no corruption and no betrayal in the kingdom.

However, the king had one weakness, and that was his vanity. He had become proud since his fame had spread far and wide. Soon, Mahabali extended his rule to the heavens as well as the netherworld. Aditi, the mother of the Gods presumed that Mahabali might become over¬powerful. So, she pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu then transformed himself into a dwarf Brahmin called Vamana and approached Mahabali. Mahabali was pleased with Vamana's wisdom. “Ask what you may, 0 Brahmin! No one returns dissatisfied from my land,” boasted the king. “Then give me just three paces of land!” replied Vamana. “Is that all? Hahahahaha!” laughed Mahabali. “I have a vast empire! Take your three paces of land from wherever you wish.”

Suddenly Vamana began to expand his body. So large he became that he covered the whole Earth in his first step, and Heaven in the second. “Where shall I keep my third pace, O Mahabali?” asked Vamana. Mahabali was a man of principles. He had never failed to keep his words. So, he offered his head for Vamana's third pace. Vamana kept his third foot on the king's head and pushed him down to the netherworld.

Thus Lord Vishnu belittled the arrogant king. But before banishing him to the underworld, Vishnu granted him a boon. “Since you have always loved your kingdom and your people, you are allowed to return once a year from exile!” said the Lord. And since then Mahabali is supposed to return every year to the land of his people, to ensure that they are prosperous. This is the day when Onam is celebrated in Kerala.

Onam is a festival of ten days. It comes in the month of 'Chingam' according to Malayalam calendar (late August or early September according to the Gregorian calendar). It is the harbinger of spring and marks the beginning of the harvest season. The first day is called the Atham day. People clean their houses and plaster the courtyards with cow dung. They make a flower carpet called 'Pookalam' in front of their doors to welcome the advent of King Mahabali.

The last day called the Thiruvonam is the most important. Women light decorated metal lamps on the Pookalam. Many people make earthen mounds of Lord Vishnu and King Mahabali and place them on the Pookalam. People wear new dresses and visit as many temples as they can. At the Vamanamoorthy temple in Thrikkakara, the annual temple festival coincides with Onam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

After the traditional rituals, people enjoy a lavish feast called 'Sadhya'. This grand lunch is the most important ritual performed on the Thiruvonam day. The whole family sits together and enjoys sumptuous home-cooked delicacies served on plantain leaf. The aroma of fresh sweet Payasam adds to the festive mood.

Onam is the season of cultural and sport events. Elephants are caparisoned and paraded on the roads. Children enjoy fireworks. At many places, people perform the famous Kathakali dance. Some performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and thakil.

The Vallam kali (boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats called 'Chundans' to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These boats have long hulls and high sterns that give them the appearance of the raised hood of a cobra. Thousands of people flock around to cheer and watch the mesmerising show of rowing skills and muscle power.

Although this festival is at its best in the state of Kerala, it is celebrated without the difference of caste and religion throughout the country. The Hindus, the Muslims and the Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal devotion and involvement. It is an occasion when people resolve to lead a new life of truth, simplicity, charity, togetherness and piety.