Onam Festival in Kerala
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Kerala festival is synonymous with Onam festival, the great cultural festival of the state celebrated by people irrespective of caste, creed or religion. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (in the late of August or first week of September). It marks the homecoming of the king Mahabali which symbolizes a life of love and humility.
Myth behind Onam Festival :
An Asura king Mahabali rules in Kerala. Though he is a demon king yet he is a benevolent and a wise ruler. All the people live harmoniously in his kingdom. One day Lord Vishnu in the pseudo of a dwarf comes to test King Mahabali. He asks three feet of land and Mahabali laughs at this little wish of the dwarf and tells him to take it according to his wish. Suddenly Vamana takes a huge shape and covers the whole earth by one foot and the sky with another foot. Then he asks for the third feet of land for his third feet. Mahabali comes to know that Vamana is not an ordinary person, so he shows his head for the third foot. Keeping his third feet on the head of Mahabali, Vamana pushes down the king under the earth. The king then asks Vamana his true identity. When Maha Vishnu unveils him, Mahabali is overjoyed. Then Vishnu asks him if he asks for any boon. Mahabali tells him that he wants to visit Kerala once in a year. And Onam is celebrated when Mahabali visits Kerala once in a year.
Onam, a Festival of Love and Unity :
Onam festival has been celebrated in Kerala for last several centuries and this is the only festival which appeals all the people of the state.
The festival of Onam lasts for ten days. To welcome King Mahabali people decorate their houses. Colorful Flower mats are placed in front of the houses. People wear new dress, visit the temples. Dances like Thiruvathirakali, Thumbi Tullal, etc are performed at the temples. On the Thiuruvonam day they all have great lunch.
