Onam time :)

Today I am gonna tell you about Onam, a festival in my place. :)

Onam celebration is going on here.It started on 23rd of this month (Atham day), 10 days before Thiruvonam.It is tied with the memory of the golden age of prosperity.Now, as I am in hostel I am not able to celebrate Onam.But I remember Onam celebration in my childhood days.Starting from Atham day, for the next ten days we make a carpet of flowers on our courtyard.

Early morning we wake up and cow dung is plasterd on the courtyard in a circular shape.Then flowers are kept on it.In my childhood we used to go searching for flowers in early mornings.That experience was really nice.Many small girls with a small basket going to to neighbouring houses and fields to collect flowers.On Thiruvonam day(just after these 10 days) we get new dress(Onakkodi) from the eldest member of our family.Women wear set saree(cream coloured saree with golden border), a traditional saree of Kerala.Everyone wear new dress on that day.Then we have a grand lunch called Onasadhya.There is a saying that "kaanam vittum onam unnanam" which means we should have this lunch even if we have to sell all our things.Main course is rice.With rice various kinds of dishes like upperi(fried banana in oil), pickle, lot of other curries and paayasam(dessert) will be there.


Now talking of Onam, this is a harvest festival. After the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam(a malayalam month like our zodiac signs), Chingam is a welcome month for people in the state of Kerala. The festival is a harbinger of spring — signalling the start of the harvest season.Story behind is Onam is very interesting.Here it goes for you :)..

We have demons and demigods(asuras and devas).One day, Indra, the king of Devas went to war with Mahabali(Bali), the king of Asuras and in that war Bali succeeded and proceeded to occupy Indra's territory.Mahabali's rule is considered as the golden era of Kerala.We can hear a song all over Kerala during Onam time which describes the rule of Mahabali.It goes like this..

"When Maveli (Mahabali) ruled the land,
All men were treated equally.
there were no lies and no cheating
And no one was false in speech"

Devas were very annoyed(jealous) as Mahabali became the ruler of all the three worlds.They approached Vishnu(Main God) and asked for his help.God told them their prayers will be answered.One day Mahabali, who was performing a sacrificial rite (Aswamedha Yagna) on the banks of Narmada River, declared that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this Yagna.At this time, Vishnu, incarnated in the form of a dwarf named Vamana came near mahabali.Mahabali's guru who had a vision of future understood that the one who had come to take alms from Bali was not an ordinary Brahmin but Lord Narayana Himself had assumed this form. He advised Bali not to promise the lad anything.But Bali was a King who gave importance to his word.He told his guru that he can't take back his word.When asked Vamana what does he want, he told that it was enough to give him that much of land covered by three footsteps of him.bali agreed and then Vamana grew in size until he towered above the heavens. With the first foot, he measured all of the earth. With the other, he claimed all of the heaven. There was still one foot of territory that Bali owed him.So Bali asked to place the third step on his head and Vamana placed the third step on the head of Bali and suppressed him to the underworld.As a last wish Mahabali was granted the permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites celebrate Onam festival to commemorate the memory of a Great King Mahabali who would keep his promise.Onam thus marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali.

Every malayalee believe that on Thiruvonam day, King Mahabali will come to visit them.That is the reason why we decorate our houses with flowers and traditional lamps.These are all done to welcome Mahabali.



During Onam, people who dress like Mahabali comes to every house(in the same way as Santa Clause visit us).He has an umbrella with him which is made of some sort of leaves.There is another group who dress like tigers and visit out homes during Onam.I guess if Mahabali visits Kerala now, he will be depressed of the pathetic situation. :(.His umbrella is missing in the picture.


Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is celebrated by all people irrespective of class and creed.I didn't tell you what I like most in Onam celebrations.Guess what?Our schools will be closed for 10 days :) and I love Onam vacation..The next thing I love is to show off my new dress to all my friends.The first day after vacation we are allowed to wear colour dress(All other days we should wear uniform ).Not finished..The third thing I love is the flower carpet competition.We draw a big design on the floor and create a flower carpet.When I was in college, our class got first prize :)

I don't know whether I will get vacation in the institution where I study now.Lets wait and see..
By the way Happy Onam to all my friends :)

Signing off,
Asha

Photo courtesy : Flickr

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