celebration of onam

Mahabali gradually became a powerful ruler of all the realms heaven and earth, with the able guidance of his guru Shukracharya. The Devas gods saw the rise of the Asura king as a threat. Envious of Mahabali prosperity, the gods approached Vishnu and asked for his help, to which Vishnu agreed.A variation of this story says that Vishnu stopped Mahabali as a boon to Aditi, who was the mother of the Devas. Kashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi, who were the parents of the demons and the gods Asuras and Devas respectively. Kashyapa, who had gone to the Himalayas to do penance, on his return found Aditi weeping for the fall of the Devas and the rise of Asuras. He consoled her, asked her to pray to Vishnu and taught her Payovrata, a ritual that has to be observed from the 12th day of the bright half of Karthika Sukla paksha Dvadasi. Since Aditi carried out the Vrata with a pious heart, Vishnu appeared before her and agreed to help Indra, the king of Devas.Another version of the story says that Mahabali grew pompous, due to the praise and respect by his courtiers and subjects, and came to believe that there was no greater person in the world other than him. Believing himself to be the ruler of the three worlds, he took pride in thinking he could grant anyone whatever they asked. It is said that in order to curb his pride, Vishnu decided to teach Mahabali that the Almighty was still above him.

For the devotion of the daitya, Mahabali, Lord Vishnu Vamana granted him rule over the underworld. It was also granted that he would hold the position of Indra for one Manvantara a cyclic measure of time, thus fulfilling his devotee desire the office of Indra was a rotating position, changing every Manvantara.As a last gift, Mahabali was granted permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites celebrate the Onam festival to commemorate the memory of the Great King Mahabali who would keep his promise to visit them every year. Mahabali fulfilled his name as the great martyr for the sake of Truth Satya. The name Mahabali itself means Great Sacrifice.During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Mahabali flawless reign. People wear new clothes Vastra during Onam. The Vastra also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings.

High spirited people of Kerala celebrate Onam with gaiety and fervor. The festival is celebrated for a period of ten days, starting from the first day Atham and continuing till tenth and the biggest day called Thiru Onam. The spectacular festival attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and globe. Immense popularity of the festival is further promoted by the Government of India by celebrating Kerala Tourism Week during the time of Onam.Celebrations of the first day are marked by intricate floral carpets called Pookalam. More flowers of different colours are added to this pookalam on each passing day. Girls take great delight in designing them in the front courtyards of their house. Boys take pleasure in helping them gather flowers. Special prayers are also said on Atham in a local temple. Hectic activities for the carnival begin in the state from this day onwards. The biggest and the most happening day in the carnival of Onam is Thiruvonam.

Festivities begin as early as 4 am. People clean up their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and perform elaborate prayers to seek divine blessings. A massive and most exquisite pookalam is prepared on this day to welcome the spirit of King Maveli.Highpoint of the day is the enormous lunch called Onasadya. People of Kerala are extremely passionate about this. Even if they cannot easily afford, they will anyhow prepare the meal inclusive of all the 11 13 prescribed dishes. This has lead to the saying in Malayalam, Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam which means, We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties.

There are a lot of activities that takes place all over the state on Onam. Pulikali performers paint themselves in the guise of a tiger and enact hunting scenes to entertain people. Kummattikali artists don an attire of plaited grass and big wooden mask. They move from house to house collecting small gifts and amusing children. At Thrissur, caparisoned elephants move out in a procession and present a regal view. While at Cheruthuruthy, Kathakali artists cast a spell on the audience with the magic of their performance. Women perform their graceful traditional clap dance, Kaikotikalli on the day and enthrall the audience. Vallamkali, the popular snake boat race is also organised in several parts of the state to mark the day. Number of sports and games events are also organised on the day.

These are collectively called Onakalikal. Some of them are rigorous sports like Talappanthukali, Kutukutu and combats like Kayyankali and Attakalam. Archery is also a part of Onakalikal. Senior members have their share of fun by playing indoor games like cards and chess. There is also a tradition of swinging on Onam. A decorated swing is swung on a high branch and young men and women take the pleasure on it while singing traditional songs.

Onam is undoubtedly the most spectacular festival of Kerala. One needs to experience its magnificence in person. Reading books, watching pictures or trawling net simply cannot present Onam in its entire splendor and breathtaking vistas.Right from day one of the festival, called Atham colours begin to emanate from this ebullient festival. Making of Pookalam, the exquisite flower mat starts from this very day and continues till Thiruvonam when the Aththa Poo reaches an overwhelming size and most elegant design. It a brilliant feeling to walk in the streets of Kerala at this time.

Meticulous Pookalam adorn the courtyards of every house and its fragrance wraps the very air. Snake Boat Race or Vallamkali is the other most astonishing sight from the panorama of Onam. Here, a large number of snake like long boats embellished with festoons, silk umbrellas and GOLD coins present a charming spectacle in the mind blowing backwaters of Alappuzha. These boats are oared by more than a hundred oarsmen in a rhythm provided by beats of drums and cymbals Energy of the boatmen passes on to thousands of spectators who come from distant places and even from far away foreign lands to watch the event in its full grandeur. Women dressed in their traditional gold bordered off white mundu and neriyathu and performing the very elegant folk dance Kaikottikali is another wonderful scene from the carnival of Onam. Women dressed in their traditional gold bordered off white mundu and neriyathu and performing the very elegant folk dance Kaikottikali is another wonderful scene from the carnival of Onam.

Festivals of Kerala are full of colours. They brims with mirth and joy and unfold the rich and varied culture of the God Own Country. Simplicity and inherent religious nature of the people of Kerala are also prominently represented as one makes a journey in the colourful world of Kerala festivals. In some festivals it appears that people of Kerala have adopted certain traditions from the cultures of other states. At the same time it is stunning to notice the way in which Kerala has transformed those customs and gifted them that unique and special flavour of Kerala. The tolerant state of Kerala, rejoices all round the year in the spectrum of customs and traditions of the numerous religions, castes and creed it houses. We have culled some of the prominent festivals specific to the state of Kerala from the broad panorama of traditions celebrated in this state. This is just a peep, the bigger and the real picture can just be experienced by actual and active participation.Thiruvathira,Vishu,Thrissur Pooram,Theyyam Festival,Mandala Pooja,Makaravilakku at Sabarimala Festival,Attukal Pongala,Kettukazcha,Puthari.

The tenth and the most important day of Onam celebrations is known as Thiru Onam or the Tiru Onam. Here Thiru or Tiru stands for sacred, holy, beautiful or auspicious and is equivalent of ri in Hindi. It is so called as the day is the most significant of all, for the people of Kerala. People believe that it is on the tenth day that Lord Mahabali comes to visit his people. Some scholars say that the name Thiru Onam comes from the name Sravanotsav out of which ra was taken out and vana was transformed to Onam. To the word Onam, Thiru was added as the asterism Sravana on which Onam is celebrated was sacred to Lord Vishnu.
Elaborate preparations are made to celebrate Thiru Onam in the grandest possible way. Early in the morning people perform special prayers to invoke divine blessings. Women clean up the house and decorate a flower mat in the front courtyard of the house. This is to welcome the spirit of the legendary King who is so much appreciated by his people centuries after his golden reign.A grand meal called Onasadya is also prepared to impress upon the spirit of the King that his people are happy and wish him well. Thiru Onam evenings are spent playing games and indulging in cultural events. Lightening and dazzling display of fire also takes place with much fan fair.

The festival of Onam is celebrated on the full moon day in asterism Sravana in the month of August September. This asterism was sacred to Lord Vishnu. And as King Mahabali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu the day became sacred for the people of Kerala. They began to celebrate the festival on this asterism as Sravanotsavam or Sravanmahotsav.Scholars believe that the other name Thiru Onam comes from Sravanotsavam itself. ra was dropped and vana has come to be called onam. Since the asterism Sravana was sacred to Lord Vishnu, Thiru equivalent of Sri was added and it became Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam.The day of Onam is regarded auspicious and people believe that it is on this day that the spirit of the most benevolent King of Kerala, Mahabali comes to visit his people. The day has mythological significance also, as people believe that it was on this particular day the Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Vamana and sent Lord Maveli to the nether world patalam.

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated with immense joy and fervor in all the Malayalee families all over the world. It is ten days long festival in which the tenth day, Tiruvonam is regarded as the day of festivities and celebrations. People on this day celebrate this festival by community get together, feasts, cultural performances, playing various interesting games and exchanging good wishes. The most popular and easiest method of sending good wishes is through SMSes.

May this ONAM bring in u the brightest and choicest happiness and love you have ever wished for! Happy Onam!

Hereby wishing you, a Very happy Onam! Have a nice feast!

Wish you a prosperous, colorful, healthy, wealthy and Happy Onam !

May God bless you and fill your heart with joy & happiness. May the color and lights of Onam fill your home with happiness and joy. Have the most beautiful Onam.

May the spirit of Onam remains everywhere whatever you do, whatever you think whatever you hope in your life Wish you a Happy Onam.