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Onam is celebrated according to the Malayalam calendar in Chingam, which corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed over ten days, each day holding its unique significance and rituals. The ten days are a time for spiritual reflection, cultural activities, and community bonding. The primary day of festivities, Thiruvonam, between late August and early September, is the most important, marking the festival's climax. The exact date varies each year based on lunar cycles, but it usually aligns with the harvest season in Kerala.
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Of all the harvest festivals in Kerala, Onam stands out with its deep-rooted mythological and legendary connection. It is celebrated to signify the return of King Mahabali himself, the great Asura king whose reign was that of gold, charity, justice, and equality in the kingdom of Kerala. Onam's historical and mythological significance is genuinely awe-inspiring, adding a layer of wonder to this vibrant festival and leaving you intrigued to learn more about its rich history.
When lord gods became jealous of Mahabali's fame, strength, and arrogance, they made Lord Vishnu incarnate as Vamana, a Brahman with dwarfism. To Mahabali's shock, Vamana asked for only three paces of land and was allowed to choose one wish. After that, he evolved in another step to take all three regions of the world and finally expelled Mahabali to the underworld. Nevertheless, due to his affection for the inhabitants, Mahabali was allowed to visit his people once a year, and the people mentioned celebrating Onam in his honor.
King Mahabali is believed to be the founder and king of the new world, which is the belief that holds strong in the minds of the people.
The beauty of Onam hinges on a mythical story that narrated the story of King Mahabali, who is depicted as a tyrannical ruler with a beautiful heart, hence the name Hannanthan, a word derived from 'Hannu' meaning 'Heart' and 'Nathan' meaning 'town' in Malayalam. Lord Vishnu in the Vamana avatar was motivated by Bali's pure and honest actions, but the god still managed to get the king deceived into relinquishing his throne. But touched by the king's loyalty, Vishnu allowed the king one visit with his people every year. It is traditionally performed at the onset of every Hacker Season to welcome King Mahabali to his kingdom.
Onam is a harvest celebration that not only celebrates the win of good over evil and the homecoming of a much-loved king but also the unity of people with other people, and the enriching diverse culture that the occasion brings. This celebration has infixed in the people a sense of belonging to a much larger family, a brotherhood of sorts all coming together to celebrate the occasion. It's a beautiful testament to the cultural diversity and unity that Onam embodies, making everyone feel a part of this inclusive and diverse celebration.
It also marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the agricultural harvest, thus symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Onam celebrates families' association with their ancestors, following traditions, and rejoicing over the boon nature provided at the end of the rains.
The celebrations of Onam are vibrant and diverse, featuring a range of traditional and cultural activities:
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The ten-day-long festival has its specialty. They are as follows:
Today, people wake up early to bathe, distribute gifts, and offer prayers in temples. Many competitions and activities take place in different regions of Kerala. Additionally, the women cook Onam food for the household.
Onam has no restriction on people's religious or social status; anyone from anywhere can join the celebration. It depicts the metaphysical outlook of the state of Kerala, where unity preserves diversity. To sum up, the ideologies aimed at people by the frame of the festival are concentrated on the notion of belonging to happy people.
Onam is very colorful and grandiosely celebrated in the present generation. While performing, they retain the traditional characteristics while blending them with factors like public events, community functions, and digital celebrations, where such events are feasible. In this way, Onam's development remains meaningful, and, therefore, people's inclusion is also ensured. The design makes people feel associated with its ancient history while retaining the principles of unity, economic development, and diversity.
Onam is not simply a festival but is assimilated as a symbolic identity and identified as the Keralites' essence. It is an excellent time to be cocooned in the richness of the state's tradition.
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The energy brimming during this period is unlike any other, and it is plausible given the preparation of various activities and the main event of Thiruvonam.
Posted In : Festival |
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Posted By : Kirti Gulliya
Updated On: 08 August, 2024