The yearly festival of Onam (Malayalam: a; Romanized: a) is held in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis that happens on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of the Malayalam calendar, which coincides with August–September in the Gregorian calendar. Legend has it that the event is held to honour King Mahabali, whose soul is supposed to visit Kerala during the Onam festival.
King Mahabali conquered the Gods and began governing over all
three realms, according to Vaishnava mythology. King Mahabali belonged to the
Asura clan and was a demon king. The people adored the kind-hearted king. The
Gods became concerned about King Mahabali's popularity, prompting Lord Vishnu
to intervene and assist in Mahabali's containment.
In the shape of the Brahmin dwarf Vamana, Lord Vishnu made a visit to King Mahabali in his fifth incarnation. When King Mahabali asked Vamana what he wanted, he replied, "three pieces of land." Vamana increased in size once his desire was granted, and in his first and second paces, he covered the sky and then the netherworld, respectively.King Mahabali gave his own head to Lord Vishnu as he was ready to take his third pace. Lord Vishnu was so moved by Mahabali's deed that he granted him the permission to visit his kingdom and people every year during the Onam festival.
During the ten-day celebrations, devotees wash, give prayers,
dress traditionally (women wear a white and gold saree known as the Kasavu
saree), watch dance performances, make flower rangolis known as pookkalam, and
prepare traditional feasts known as sadya. During Onam, Sadya is served on
banana leaves.
Other days have a diverse range of celebrations and
activities ranging from boat races, cultural programs, sports competitions,
dance events, martial arts, floral Rangoli – pookkalam, prayers, shopping,
donating time or food for charity to spending time with family over feasts. Men
and women wear traditional dress. The Kerala sari or Kasavu sari is
particularly wore on this day. Elephants marching, drum beats and other music,
traditional art forms, floats, and colourfully costumed individuals wearing
masks are all part of the procession. The Kochi king used to lead a spectacular
military parade from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple in Kerala's history,
greeting and greeting his people. This is a state-sponsored event in modern
times.
The start of the
VamanamoorthyThrikkakara temple's celebrations marks the beginning of the Atham
day (Kochi). With the raising of the festival flag, this Vishnu temple is
considered the focal point of Onam and the abode of Mahabali. Colourful parades
are organised, depicting features of Kerala culture with floats and tableaux.
Boat races, cultural programmes, sports contests, dancing events, martial arts, flower Rangoli – pookkalam, prayers, shopping, donating time or food to charity, and spending time with family over feasts are just some of the activities and celebrations that take place on other days. Both men and women dress in traditional attire. On this day, the Kerala sari, also known as the Kasavu sari, is particularly popular.
During Onam, Thiruvathira Kali dances.
Thiruvathira, Kummattikali, Pulikali, ThumbiThullal, Onam Kali,
and other traditional dance styles include Thiruvathira, Kummattikali,
Pulikali, ThumbiThullal, Onam Kali, and others. Thiruvathira Kali is a female
dance that takes place in a circle around a light. Kummattikali is a mask dance
with bright colours. A parade of caparisoned elephants surrounded by
Kummatikali dancers is part of the celebrations in Thrissur.
Pulikali: tiger dance
Pulikali is a tiger-themed dance.
Kerala
No / Kerala