Overview
Onam
Festival in Kerala
God's Own Festival: Onam is a divine festival celebrated in South India, it is the time of the year when Kerala delights with boat races, dance, art, music, trumpets, drums, elephants, flower decorations, lights, and colors. Whether you are a Malayali or not, the spirit of Onam is universal for all.
History of Onam - Legend and Significance
According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Brahmin sage Prahlad had a grandson, whose name was Mahabali. Mahabali had captured all three worlds by defeating all the gods. In Vaishnavism, all the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu to fight against Mahabali, but he refused, considering Lord Vishnu to be a good ruler and his devotee.
After his victory over the gods, Mahabali performed a yajna in which he resolved to fulfill anyone's request. In such a situation, to test the devotion of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of a Vaman salt dwarf boy and reached Mahabali on earth.
King Mahabali asked the little boy to give him everything he could. But Vaman refused this and said that no one should ask for more than his needs. And Vaman asked for only three steps of land. Mahabali was surprised by this boy's will, but agreed to give him three steps of land.
Vamana grew up and pushed the land with one foot and the water with the sky with the other foot, now Mahabali offered himself to keep his third foot. Vaman trampled Mahabali and sent him to Pathala (hell), Lord Vishnu, pleased with Mahabali's devotion, blessed him to come to his land every year. The return of Mahabali every year marks the festival of Onam.
And it only takes three steps. Mahabali, though surprised by the boy's wish, agreed to give it to him. Vamana grew up and covered the land and water with one foot and the sky with the other foot, now Mahabali offered himself to place his third foot.
Vaman trampled Mahabali and sent him to Pathala (hell), but pleased with his devotion, he gave him the boon of coming to his land every year. The return of Mahabali marks the festival of Onam.
Onam Festival
Onam festival begins in a grand manner, involving cultural celebrations, rituals and practices. Onam is celebrated with great pomp in South India. Which includes a wealth of cultural practices as well as events including boat races, dance forms, food, and traditional clothing.
Athachamayam
Onam begins with a procession starting from Tripunithura (Kochi). Different types of flags, the beating of drums, elephants, and colorfully decorated tableaux are included in this procession. Which reflects the culture of Kerala. In which some scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana are also included. The procession goes from Tripunithura to the temple, dedicated to Vishnu incarnation Vamana.
Pookalam
Onam Pookalam is a kind of floral carpet, which is decorated with flowers and petals. Which is decorated with many types of flowers making patterns on the floor of the entrance. Women decorate their homes and temple premises with these flowers, apart from this, lamps are placed on its sides.
It is a religious art, in which flower petals are mixed to create floral art. Creating such flower arrangements requires a lot of patience and creativity. We can also call Pookkalam as Rangoli of flowers. Pookkalam competitions are also organized in almost all parts of Kerala. In which everyone takes part.
Onam Dates
The Onam festival overlaps with the months of August?September according to the Gregorian calendar.
Highlights
- Enjoy the festivities at Sri Krishna Swamy Temple in Guruvayur.
- All the temples are decorated with flowers and lamps.
- Special pujas are organized in temples.
- The puja culminates with decorated elephants, music, and festivities, which also include the procession of the deities.
- The villages and towns of northern Kerala echo the ritual dance called Theyyam.
- Onam festival has many artists dressed in colorful costumes and decorations and it is a wonderful experience.
Dates : Saturday 14 September 2024 ? Tuesday 17 September 2024
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