The festival of Onam has begun. Kerala’s most popular harvest festival is celebrated over a period of 10 days. The festival commemorates the homecoming
of King Mahabali and is famous for its inclusivity. “Onam is the national festival of Kerala. Celebrated in the month of Chingam, it starts from Atham and lasts for 10 days till Ponnonam. Thiruvonam celebrations evoke a wave of nostalgia in Keralites and are celebrated by everyone irrespective of religion and caste. After the harsh month of Karkidakam comes Chingam, offering the hope of prosperity to farmers, making Onam a harvest festival,” states the website of Kerala Tourism. The 10-day Onam celebration reaches its peak on Thiruvonam, which will be observed on Wednesday, 26 August this year. According to legend, the reign of King Mahabali was marked by prosperity, equality and happiness, and he returns each year on Onam to visit his people. During the celebrations, homes are decorated with colourful pookalams, while traditional Onam Sadhya, cultural programmes, traditional games and other festivities take place. People also install swings called ‘oonjal’ on high branches of trees and decorate them with flowers.
The 10-Day Festival From Atham To Thiruvonam
This year, Onam began on 16 August and will continue until 26 August, bringing 10 days of festivities and traditional celebrations.
The main day of Onam, Thiruvonam, falls on 26 August.
Thiruvonam is the tenth and most important day of the 10-day Onam festival.
There are various legends associated with Onam, but the most famous is that of the benevolent Asura king Mahabali.
The Legend Of Mahabali
According to the mythological story, Mahabali, the beloved king of Kerala, visits his people on the day of Thiruvonam after returning from the netherworld. Mahabali is said to have been a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was the son of Virochan and the grandson of Prahlad.“He was a righteous and charitable man and treated all his subjects equally. There was no poverty, crime or cruelty during his rule. Despite Mahabali being a demon king, the state was at its most glorious phase and his people adored him. Mahabali’s fame grew with each passing day, which enraged the devas. Afraid of losing power, they begged Lord Vishnu to aid them in stopping Mahabali,” states the website of Kerala Tourism.
This led to Lord Vishnu visiting Mahabali in his Vamana avatar. He was performing a yagna for Lord Vishnu at the time. When he spotted Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar, he asked him what he wanted. The boy responded that he needed land that could be covered in three steps.
Mahabali granted the boy’s wish. He began to grow in size, covering the entire universe with his first two steps. Mahabali then realised that it was no ordinary boy before him, but Lord Vishnu himself. Seeing that there was no more land left, the king bowed before the boy, offering his head for the next step.
Satisfied by the king’s devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed Mahabali and sent him to Patala, or the netherworld, with permission to visit his subjects once every year. The place where this incident is believed to have taken place was given the name Trikalkkara, which was later changed to Thrikkakara.
“The incident is said to have occurred on the star sign of Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam, and ever since, every year during the 10 days of Onam, the people of Kerala eagerly await their beloved king. The tale of Mahabali’s sacrifice, as described in the folk song Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam, is associated with Onam,” states the website of Kerala Tourism.
Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.
