Hi friends,
Are you familiar with Onam? Hope you are not. Onam is a festival of kerala which is popular among the tourists as God’s own country. Kerala is a small state in India which is surrounded by Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Kerala is very popular for its serene climate and beauty. Kerala has a long coastline, backwaters, a rich culture and tradition.
Onam which is celebrated in the month of August or September is the harvest festival of the keralites. The puranas (old stories) says that once Kerala was ruled by a king named Mahabali (maveli) who was popular for his humanity and honesty. It is said that during his time there were no dreadful practices happening in the society and people lived in harmony and brotherhood. In jealous of king Mahabali lord Vishnu dressed as a Brahmin and went to Mahabali and asked him for three feet’s of land. Mahabali agreed to give the required land to the Brahmin. But Lord Vishnu who dressed up as Brahmin covered the whole Kerala by his two feet’s. There was no space for the third feet. But the fair dealing king showed his head before the Brahmin for the third feet. Brahmin pushed Mahabali to pathalam (underground). Before sending him to under ground Mahabali was given the permission to see his people once in a year by lord Vishnu. Keralites believes that it’s during chinga masam (a Malayalam month; i.e. the month of August or September) that Mahabali comes to see his people.
So the keralites celebrate onam as their traditional festival. During onam Schools will be given holidays for ten days. We buy new dresses called onakoodi as part of our festival. Malayali (keralite) girls wearing their traditional dresses like sari, Pattupavada putting athapookalam is a common scene during onam. We celebrate onam for ten day’s that is from Atham to chathayam. Thiruvonam is the important day. Onasadya is the inevitable part of Onam. Delicious food items in kerala style will be prepared for the sadya. Food is served in long banana leaves. Luscious payasam is the main part of the sadya. Many cultural and traditional programs are there as a part of Onam celebrations. Games like pulikalli, thumbithollal, etc. are the major attractions.
The whole state will be lively for the ten days. Now we are celebrating Onam. All malayali’s got ready to welcome Mahabali. I had my yummy lunch with all kerala food items.
Every state in India has their own traditional festivals and each is different from others. For a North Indian girl like me it is really a different experience. I am so happy to be a part of this festival.
Thank you Kerala for giving me such a wonderful onam experience.
By Nitya
