Onam is the biggest and most widely celebrated festival in Kerala. It is a harvest festival, celebrated to thank the Lord for the wonderful yield of crop. Onam is also the state festival of Kerala. This festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August – September). .
Origin
Onam is associated with the story of Mahabali – the grandson of King Prahlad, who was one of the greatest devotees of God. Mahabali was a great king, who had conquered the three worlds, and ruled them justly and well. There was peace and prosperity all over, and people were happy during his reign. However, Mahabali soon grew proud of himself. Lord Vishnu decided to cut down his pride, and took birth on the earth in the form Vaman, a dwarf.
Mahabali was once performing a great Yagya, and Vaman went there to beg for alms. Mahabali’s guru, Shukracharya, recognized Vaman to be Lord Vishnu Himself, and warned Mahabali to be careful. However, Mahabali was a generous king, and offered riches and land to the enchanting Dwarf who had come to his court. Vaman refused all the riches offered to Him, and asked for just three paces of land, measured by His own feet. Mahabali laughed at the strange request and agreed to grant it, in spite of being advised against it by his guru. At once, Vaman assumed a huge form, and placed one foot on earth and one on the heavens. Turning to Mahabali, he asked him for a place to keep his third step. His ego and pride crushed, Mahabali bowed down and asked Vaman to place His foot on his head. Lord Vishnu was happy and blessed Mahabali by placing His foot on his head, thereby rendering him immortal. Vaman ordered Mahabali to rule over the nether regions, and gave him permission to visit his motherland once a year. This occasion is celebrated as Onam. It is believed that Mahabali visits his homeland on this day, and visits every house to partake of the offerings and bless the residents.
Celebration
The festival is celebrated over a period of ten days, bringing together many elements of Kerala’s traditions and culture.
The ten-day festival is flagged off with a grand procession. In ancient times, the king used to drive through the streets on his chariot, accompanied by musicians, drummers, dancers and elephants. This procession signifies the visit of Mahabali to his kingdom.
On all ten days of the festival, people decorate the area outside their homes with Pookolam, a form of decoration similar to Rangoli, but made entirely out of flowers. Pookolam is truly a work of art. During the Onam festival, Pookolam competitions are held and people create highly attractive designs.
The ten days of the festival are marked by displays of Kerala’s folk arts and culture. The snake boat race held in the backwaters of Punnamuda in Alappuzha district of Kerala is one such display of local talent that has gained fame all over the world. The snake boats are narrow wooden row boats driven by a number of oarsmen, who work in tandem and sing songs to keep up the rhythm and the pace. The beautifully decorated boats are a pretty picture themselves, and crowds throng the races to cheer the participants and applaud the winner. The snake boat races are held in many parts of Kerala during Onam.
Beautifully decorated and caparisoned elephants are taken in a procession through the streets, especially around temples, accompanied by different folk artists. An interesting display at this time is that of people re-enacting the tradition of humans hunting tigers. People dress up as tigers and hunters, and dance along with the procession, providing an element of entertainment to the procession.
Kathakali – the famous dance form of Kerala is also another major draw during Onam. Public performances of Kathakali are held all over the state, giving the audience a unique insight into the legends and folk tales of Kerala.
However, the highlight of the festival is the feast associated with it. A grand lunch, with nine courses, involving eleven to thirteen essential dishes, called “Onam Sadya” is prepared in every Kerala home on the main day of Onam. This lunch is served on banana leaves, and no Keralite, whether living in Kerala or outside, ever misses it!
Onam is a festival that is associated with just a single state in India. However today, it is celebrated by Keralites all over the world, and is enjoyed by all, no matter where they come from.
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