Onam Festival of Kerala
Name of Festival : Onam Festival
Major Territory of Celebration
Onam is the one of most important festival of Kerala’s.
Time of celebration (Months)
Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (August – September )
Worship in Festival
Festival is celebrated in honour of the ancient asura king Mahabali
About Festival
During this festival there are many elements of Kerala’s culture and tradition.The period of celebration of this festival four days to ten days and all the activities during festival are centered around worshipping, dances, music,sports, boat races and good food.
History
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 and who was very wise and greatly loved by the people King of gods “Indra ” hatched a plot to oust Mahabali. So they go to ” Lord Vishnu ” for help to curb Mahabali’s power.
To solved out this problem Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin boy, Vamana, and went to the asura King Mahabali and asked 3 step land for him and King Mahabali agreed to the request. After that Vamana immediately began to grow as big as the universe and with two steps, he covered the earth, the nether world and the heavens. He looked at Mahabali to place his third step and the King offered his head for Vamana to place his foot. This event is celebrated as Onam festival in Kerala.
Main attraction of this festival is snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam. Girls perform the Kaikottikkali (Thiruvathirakkali) in the open, dancing around the traditional brass lamp.
People decorate their front yards with ‘onapookalam’ a flower for ten days starting from the ‘Atham’ day. On the day of ‘Thiruvonam’ people wear new clothes, visit temples and offer prayers.
