Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates 'Tourist Week' for Kerala during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam.

The Legend
Story goes that during the reign of mighty asura (demon) king, Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming. He was egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali's character was utilized by Gods to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached.

It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

Onam Celebrations
Rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.

Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Answered by Point , an ibibo Master, at 7:14 AM on October 12, 2008

THIS ONAM week’s most interesting news came in the form of statistics. Yes, dry statistics about sales. Sale of liquor vis a vis sale of food articles in the state’s major public sector outlets for the two, namely the Kerala State Beverages Corporation and the Civil Supplies Corporation respectively.

According to official figures, the sale of liquor in Beverages Corporation outlets in the two weeks up to Onam was to the tune of Rs. 145 crore, while that of food items was around Rs. 200 crore in Civil Supplies shops. Both did register some increase but in the case of liquor the increase was to the order of a staggering one third compared to last year’s sales. Those who know about the business say that if you add the massive sale in retail outlets like toddy shops, bars, and plain hooch, etc, the consumption of spirits in this Onam season would prove to be phenomenal.

No wonder one could see huge crowds around the Beverages Corporation outlets almost every time of the day during the past weeks and I have never seen such crowds even outside the cinemas where a Mammootty or Mohanlal blockbuster is freshly released.

What does it say about us?

Well, one thing it tells us is that the present-day Malayali would not let go of his bottle of rum or brandy even if his daily bread is not forthcoming. Watching the milling crowd around liquor outlets, one can safely say that they do care for their daily drink much more than their daily bread. Most of them are comrade workers, hugely addicted to the one passion that keeps them going. Perhaps revolution does not give them any real kick nowadays.

Answered by Om Prakash , an ibibo Master, at 7:12 PM on October 11, 2008

Onam is the most important festival for Keralites. People from Kerala, where ever they are, celebrate Onam, irrespective of the caste or religion. Onam is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (August-September) every year. Keralites has a quote "Atham Pathonam" for Onam. The Onam festival is for 10 days starting from Atham Nakshitram and the important Onam day is 'Thiruvonam'. Onam is celebrated as a harvest fetival by Malayalis. It is celebrated with great pop and con by the people of Kerala. No other festival is as special as Onam for Keralites.

Legend behind Onam :

According to the legends, Kerala was ruled by the Demon King 'Mahabali'. He was a very good ruler. So his fame spread far and wide. It is believed that Kerala had its 'Golden days' during the reign of Mahabali. There were no differences between the rich and the poor. All were treated alike. There were no corruption or crime in Kerala during Mahabali's rule.

Gods in the heaven feared that he will become very powerful and that would be a challenge and threat to their supremacy. They began to think of a solution for the problem. 'Adithi', the Mother of Gods, sought the help of Lord Vishnu. Mahabali was an ardent devotee of Lord MahaVishnu, though he belonged to the Demon community. Lord Vishnu agreed to help the Gods.

Mahabali was a very generous King. He gave away anything requested from him to anybody. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf Brahmin boy named 'Vamana'. This was one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. He asked Mahabali for three steps of land. Mahabali agreed to give him what he asked for. King's learned advisor 'Shukracharya' sensed that Vamana was not an ordinary person and warned the King against his promise. But Mahabali refused to hear him.

When Mahabali agreed to give away three steps of land and asked Vamana to take it where ever he wishes, Vamana began to grow in size and became the size of cosmic proportions. With the first step, Vamana covered the whole of the Earth and with the second step he covered the skies. Then he asked Mahabali, space to keep his third foot. The King understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person and folded his hands and asked Vamana to place his third foot on his head. Vamana kept his foot on the King's head and pushed him to 'Patala', the Nether World.

Lord Vishnu appeared before the King in his true form. Lord granted Mahabali a boon. King wished to visit his kingdom and people once a year. Lord Vishnu granted him with his wish and asked him to visit Kerala on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. It is the day of Mahabali's visit to Kerala, Keralites celebrate Onam every year. Mahabali is known as 'Onathappan' in Kerala.

Onam is marked in 'Thrikkakara', a place about 10 km from Kochi. 'Thrikkakara' was the capital of the King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place.

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 5:56 PM on October 11, 2008

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates 'Tourist Week' for Kerala during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam.

The Legend
Story goes that during the reign of mighty asura (demon) king, Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Every body in the state was happy and prosperous and king was highly regarded by his subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming. He was egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali's character was utilized by Gods to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing popularity. However, for all the good deed done by Mahabali, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people with whom he was so attached.

It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

Onam Celebrations
Rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.

Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Answered by Anju Singh , an ibibo Master, at 9:12 PM on October 10, 2008

Onam: This festival marks the day on which the great devotee of Lord Vishnu Emperor Maha Bali, the grandson of Prahlada (the great devotee of Lord Narasimha), received benediction and liberation with the blessings of the Lord, who had assumed the form of Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation. Onam is celebrated in August-September, and especially in Kerala. Onam is a ten-day festival marked by women creating beautiful floral patterns in front of their houses, pujas for Lord Vishnu, feasting and boat races.

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 5:18 PM on October 10, 2008

l’d like to mention the legend behind Onam in a few words here. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to sign on a 1-2-3 Agreement, according to that deal, Mahabali has to grant him three steps (sqft) of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can he place the third step. The king to honour his word, offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali ‘deep down into the earth’ (Pathalam[1]). Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a wish that he requested, he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year. We will go to our subject now.

First of all, I strongly object any type of government other than democratic. Even though Mahabali was a good ruler, without discussing with people or their representatives, he gave “Pattayam”[2] for three sqft of land. It shows there was no enough funding for intelligence agencies at that time, that’s why they could not find the real intention of Vamanan. Such a non practical ruler is not good for a country. We can also infer that he banned communist parties when he was ruling us, otherwise they won’t allow for that 1-2-3 deal with Vamanan and protect Mahabali from such a tragedy.

Let us go to the legend again. During his era, it says, all people are alike. But the development of a country is through diversity. All are alike means the condition was that of a state of emergency. If we try to make all people alike we have to face the fate of USSR.

I believe his rule was not appriciated by people because nobody defended and tried to protect him from Vamanan. Also he has no enough military force to defend his country form such external forces. That is the reason he could not withheld from the 123 deal once he know that was a trap.

Again, it says in the legend that no one was false in speech. We all know very well that the words of media and “media syndicate” are not correct always. Then, if there were no false speech, he might have banned media and no freedom of speech during his rule. Yes, that is called the state of emergency. Do you want such a situation again?

Finally, it is clear from the legend that the condition of the country was worser than “pathalam” at that time. Otherwise, he could request something better from Vamanan as the wish, instead he preferred to stay in “Pathalam” for 364 days and a transit through Kerala just for one day. Which shows, he know very well that “Pathalam” is better than Kerala and he wanted to live there peacefully.

Answered by Jitendra , an ibibo Master, at 9:22 AM on October 10, 2008

This festival marks the day on which the great devotee of Lord Vishnu Emperor Maha Bali, the grandson of Prahlada (the great devotee of Lord Narasimha), received benediction and liberation with the blessings of the Lord, who had assumed the form of Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation. Onam is celebrated in August-September, and especially in Kerala. Onam is a ten-day festival marked by women creating beautiful floral patterns in front of their houses, pujas for Lord Vishnu, feasting and boat races.

Answered by Vipan Thapar , an ibibo Master, at 7:31 PM on October 09, 2008

well,Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated in honour of Mahabali, the mythical Asura king of ancient Kerala. Malayalees believe that on Onam day Bali visits his subjects. This harvest festival falls in August / September.
Onam has been part of Malayalee psyche for centuries. There are records of Onam being celebrated during the Sangam Age. The earliest record of the festival is found during the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around AD 800.

Onam has two specific significances. First it is the memory of community at large and celebration of past history as enunciated in the Mahabali legend – a story of how paradise was lost. Second it is the celebration of the harvest, tied with the memory of the golden age of prosperity. It is believed that during those days the whole of Chingam was celebrated as Onam season. After the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam, with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month for people in the state of Kerala. The festival is the harbinger of spring — signalling the start of the harvest season. Onam epitomises the newfound vigour and enthusiasm of the season, and is celebrated with traditional fervour with visits to temples, family get-togethers, gifting of clothes called Onakkodi and lots of merrymaking. The Keralites perform the Mohiniattam Dance, dedicated to the female form of Vishnu Mohini. There is also the Krishnanaattam dance. Many Keralites also worship Narayani. Sri Narayani Peedam and Sri Bangaru Adigalar of Kerala and their followers claim that these two figures are a forms or avatars of the goddess Sri Narayani. Thiruvathira kali is another dance form performed at the time of onam.Onam is celebrated with flower,and sadhya(Kerala food).The flowers are decorated on the floor to welcome Mahabali

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 1:21 PM on October 09, 2008

It's a Kerala festival

Onam falls, on the 12th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadon (around August September) once the golden yellow rice fields have been harvested at that time of the year. There is no specific god associated with Onam. Neither is any special puja (a ritualistic prayer ceremony) performed.

The celebrations of Onam start ten days before the big day. The first thing people do is decorate the gates or main doors of their homes. No balloons or festoons for these folks. They adorn their homes and gates with fresh branches of red coconut (red coconut is considered auspicious on Onam), banana leaves and coconut fronds.

If you happen to be in Kerala around Onam, you will see banana and coconut fronds just about everywhere, sometimes even popping out of trucks and buses or tied to the horns of the neighbourhood cow, all with a pinch of the auspicious vermilion powder.

The first day of Onam is called Attam. Women get up earlier than usual, have a bath, wear fresh clothes (women wear off-white cotton saris with a zari border on festive occasions), neatly pin strings of jasmine and other seasonal flowers in their long black tresses and adorn themselves with jewellery. Children get dressed and go to the market to buy flowers and flower petals which they bring back to their mothers and sisters. The ‘mummies’ prepare a small part of the ground on the eastern side of the house (east is considered sacred because the sun rises in the east and Hindus have worshipped the rising sun since time immemorial).

http://www.indiasit e.com/festivals/onam.html

Answered by Arle Rambabu , an ibibo Master, at 11:59 AM on October 09, 2008