"WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS ONAM"
Note: Onam is a festival celebrated in the southern part of India, specifically in the state of Kerala by all people irrespective of religion, caste, or creed.
About Onam
Thiru Onam is celebrated in the second half of August (the Chingam month of Kollam Era) when the August monsoon rains come to an end and the summer heat gives way to the pleasant warmth of the Kerala autumn. Anthropologists see in Onam a great fertility rite, a ceremony of Thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest. For Keralites, Onam is the celebration of the return of Mahabali, their once beloved king.
The Origin of Onam
Onam or Thiruonam originated as a joyous annual reminiscence of the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala a very long time ago. It recalls the sacrifice of the great king, his true devotion to God, his human pride, and his ultimate redemption. This king once ruled over the Keralites during the Golden Age before the caste existed, "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves" (Maveli natu vanitum kalam... Manusharellam onnu pole...).
The Legend
Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with the festivities of Onam. Legend has it that the gods plotted against Mahabali to end his reign. For this, they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin. But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish: To visit his land and people once every year.
The Custom
Pookalam
A flower carpet called 'Pookalam' is laid in front of every house to welcome the advent of the vanquished king, and earthen mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. Traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast called 'Sadhya'. Onam also means new clothes for the whole family, sumptuous home-cooked delicacies on a plantain leaf, and the lingering aroma of the sweet Payasam.
Kaikottikali
Onam is in the air. It's time to revive our rich folk arts when women come out with their dances, especially Kaikottikalli. This is the period from "atham" to Onam when the Malayali celebrates a bumper harvest and is in a festive mood.
The women-folk neatly decked up in mundu-veshti and ornamental flowers in their hair decorate their front yard and "nadumittam" with flowers and light a lamp near an idol of Ganapathy in a gesture to overcome all hurdles in their path to prosperity.
...
The Spectacle
Spectacular parades of caparisoned elephants, fireworks, and the famous Kathakali dance are traditionally associated with Onam. It's also the season of many cultural and sport events and carnivals. All this makes Onam-time a perfect period to visit this coastal state, touted as "God's Own Country". No wonder the Government of Kerala has declared this time every year as Tourism Week.
The Grand Boat Race
One of the main attractions of Onam is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula, and Kottayam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful Snake Boats called 'Chundans' are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra.
...
Onam is for All
Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all classes and creeds. 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.
A long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent, and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become overpowerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas, pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.
...
Another Legend
Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just, a good ruler, but he had one weakness, ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.
The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land, and the king agreed. To humble him, Vishnu, as Vamana, showed Mahabali that he is just a puny creature in front of God's universal stature.
'Onasadhya' is the grand feast served during the celebration of Onam in Kerala. It is served on Banana leaves. There is a way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes. The picture given below shows the serving order beginning from the left with 'Upperies'.
Note: Onam is a festival celebrated in the southern part of India, specifically in the state of Kerala by all people irrespective of religion, caste, or creed.
About Onam
Thiru Onam is celebrated in the second half of August (the Chingam month of Kollam Era) when the August monsoon rains come to an end and the summer heat gives way to the pleasant warmth of the Kerala autumn. Anthropologists see in Onam a great fertility rite, a ceremony of Thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest. For Keralites, Onam is the celebration of the return of Mahabali, their once beloved king.
The Origin of Onam
Onam or Thiruonam originated as a joyous annual reminiscence of the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala a very long time ago. It recalls the sacrifice of the great king, his true devotion to God, his human pride, and his ultimate redemption. This king once ruled over the Keralites during the Golden Age before the caste existed, "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves" (Maveli natu vanitum kalam... Manusharellam onnu pole...).
The Legend
Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with the festivities of Onam. Legend has it that the gods plotted against Mahabali to end his reign. For this, they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin. But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish: To visit his land and people once every year.
The Custom
Pookalam
A flower carpet called 'Pookalam' is laid in front of every house to welcome the advent of the vanquished king, and earthen mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. Traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast called 'Sadhya'. Onam also means new clothes for the whole family, sumptuous home-cooked delicacies on a plantain leaf, and the lingering aroma of the sweet Payasam.
Kaikottikali
Onam is in the air. It's time to revive our rich folk arts when women come out with their dances, especially Kaikottikalli. This is the period from "atham" to Onam when the Malayali celebrates a bumper harvest and is in a festive mood.
The women-folk neatly decked up in mundu-veshti and ornamental flowers in their hair decorate their front yard and "nadumittam" with flowers and light a lamp near an idol of Ganapathy in a gesture to overcome all hurdles in their path to prosperity.
...
The Spectacle
Spectacular parades of caparisoned elephants, fireworks, and the famous Kathakali dance are traditionally associated with Onam. It's also the season of many cultural and sport events and carnivals. All this makes Onam-time a perfect period to visit this coastal state, touted as "God's Own Country". No wonder the Government of Kerala has declared this time every year as Tourism Week.
The Grand Boat Race
One of the main attractions of Onam is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula, and Kottayam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful Snake Boats called 'Chundans' are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra.
...
Onam is for All
Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all classes and creeds. 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.
A long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent, and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become overpowerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas, pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.
...
Another Legend
Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just, a good ruler, but he had one weakness, ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.
The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land, and the king agreed. To humble him, Vishnu, as Vamana, showed Mahabali that he is just a puny creature in front of God's universal stature.
'Onasadhya' is the grand feast served during the celebration of Onam in Kerala. It is served on Banana leaves. There is a way of placing the leaf and an order of serving the dishes. The picture given below shows the serving order beginning from the left with 'Upperies'.
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