the snake boat races form an important part of Onam celebrations. There is a legend behind the snake ... As the ritual developed into an annual celebration, the number of snake

Answered by Vipan Thapar , an ibibo Master, at 1:34 PM on September 13, 2008

A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Another Legend
Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just and a good ruler. But he had one weakness — ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.

The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. To humble him Vishnu, as Vamana showed Mahabali that he is just a puny creature in front of God's universal stature.

Mahabali, who was a man of principles, realized God's purpose and offered his head for Vamana's footstep, as he was sent to another world. This fatal step proved a blessing in disguise for the good king — the foot salvaged and released him from the recurrent cycle of birth and death. That is why Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love, and humility.

Answered by Anju Singh , an ibibo Master, at 7:57 PM on September 12, 2008

well,Onam is the Harvest festival of Kerala, which is celebrated by all the people of Kerala without the barriers of religion or caste. Onam comes in the Malayalam month Chingam (August-September) and Celebrations last for ten days, starting from Atham to Thiruvonam. After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green and flowers are in full bloom.

King Mahabali
There is a beautiful mythical story behind the festival of Onam. People in Kerala were extremely happy and prosperous during the reign of King Mahabali. So much so, that the gods began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers. Lord Vishnu transformed himself into a Brahmin dwarf Vamana, asked the King for three steps of land, which he readily granted. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and covered the earth and heaven in two steps. For the third, King Mahabali offered his head. However, before putting his foot on Mahabali’s head, Lord Vishnu granted the King’s last wish, that he be able to visit his kingdom once every year. It is to welcome Mahabali back to his kingdom that Onam is celebrated with such joy.

Celebrations
Celebrat ions start with Atha-poo or Pookalam which is a floral carpet made in the front courtyard of the house starting from Atham day for ten days. Kids gather flowers from all over the place and make Pookalam, which is usually round in shape and each day increasing in diameter and in the variety of flowers. Earthen idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the pookalam and worshiped. Everybody in the house gets Ona-kodi, which means new clothe. The tenants bring Ona-Kazhcha (fresh vegetables, bananas and grains) and the landlord distributes Ona-kodi among them.

Ona-Sadya (The traditional feast)
The traditional feast includes delicacies such as Kalan, Olan, Avial, Erissery and so on, cooked with plantain, yams, pumpkin etc. which are available in plenty during the harvest time. The sadya is served on Banana leaves and is accompanied with Plantains, banana chips and one or more varieties of payasam (dessert). Look for some traditional Kerala recipes in the Onam Recipes page.After the sadya women engage themselves in Kaikottikali (a traditional dance form of Kerala which involves very light movements). Kids play with Onappanthu (a ball made with Coconut leafs) and swings made in the courtyards.

Tourism week
In the recent years, the tourism department of Kerala celebrates tourism week, during Onam. All major buildings and shopping centers will be illuminated in Trivandrum, the capital district and other major cities. Cultural festivals, which include traditional dance forms such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, are performed on various stages during this week. Large number of tourists would always visit Kerala around this period just to catch all the action and joyous celebrations of Onam.

Another attractive event during Onam is the famous 'Vallamkali' or the Boat race. The most important among them is the Aranmula Vallamkali. Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali is conducted in the Pamba River in front of Sri Parthasarathi Temple. Though, large snake boats take part in this festival they do not race with each other. Instead, they row in union, to the accompaniment of songs and reach their destination together because Lord Krishna is believed to be present in each boat. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala and is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. This is conducted in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. The spectacular races features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'. (Snake boats and 'Chundan Vallom's are 2 different kinds of boats which features unique craftsmanship in wood.)

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 6:02 PM on September 10, 2008

Onam 2008 is on September 12, Friday
Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.

Answered by SESHAN , an ibibo Master, at 3:27 PM on September 10, 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.
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.
Rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival.
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.
source; http://www.onamfestival.org/wh at-is-onam.html

Answered by Tingtong , an ibibo Master, at 12:25 PM on September 10, 2008

A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Another Legend
Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu. He was sincere, honest, just and a good ruler. But he had one weakness — ego. And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin, Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.

The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. To humble him Vishnu, as Vamana showed Mahabali that he is just a puny creature in front of God's universal stature.

Mahabali, who was a man of principles, realized God's purpose and offered his head for Vamana's footstep, as he was sent to another world. This fatal step proved a blessing in disguise for the good king — the foot salvaged and released him from the recurrent cycle of birth and death. That is why Onam is celebrated by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love, and humility.

For more visit :

http://hinduism.about.com /library/weekly/extra/bl-onam. htm

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 11:26 AM on September 10, 2008

The legend of Mahabali and Vamana lends a macabre backdrop to the festival. Bali was a king of Kerala who took the virtue of giving gifts to remarkable extremes. He was a good ruler, so the story goes. The land was plentiful and the people happy. This irked some of those superior beings who go under the appellations of Devas. Persuaded by them, Lord Vishnu took the diminutive form of Vamana, a brahmin kid. Vamana approached Bali and asked for three steps of land Bali granted his request against the explicit advice of his technical advisor, guru, a tradition the governments in Kerala have followed without fail ever since.

Vamana covered the heavens and the earth and all known land with two steps. Having run out of places to put his foot down, Vamana placed his last step on the head of Bali and pushed him somewhere into the nether world. As a parting gift Maha Bali was granted permission to visit his old kingdom once a year. That is the time of Onam.

This poignant story has been interpreted in many ways. Some believe it symbolizes the Aryan conquest of Kerala. It also has a pathetic touch of nostalgia of a people who know nothing but hardship and oppression in daily life, have nothing much to hope about future and console themselves that things cannot have been so bad all the time.

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 11:15 AM on September 10, 2008