Historical Importance

Onam is amidst the major festivals of Kerala. The festival of Onam is celebrated as an annual reminiscence of golden rule of mythical king, Mahabali. He ruled Kerala for a longer period of time. This day call for up the sacrifice of great king, his devotion to God, his pride and ultimate redemption. Onams greets the spirit of king Mahabali and ensures him the well-being of his people.

Legends

Long time ago, there was a demon named Mahabali, who was an able and wise ruler of Kerala. He became famous worldwide for his generosity, benevolence and his love for all his subjects. As a result, he extended his power and his rule to the heavens that was considered as a threat by the mother of Devas, Aditi. She pleaded Lord Vishnu to plan to way out to curtail Mahabali’s over-growing power.

Vishnu then transformed himself to a Vamana, a dwarf and visited Mahabali. Vishu asked for the lams from the king, who was performing yajna at that time. As the king was pleaded by the Brahmin’s wisdom, he granted him a wish, though he was warned by emperor’s preceptor Sukracharya that the Brahmin is not an ordinary man. But on the contrary, Mahabali under his kingly ego thought that he should not deny the favors from God and decided to keep his word.

Vishnu asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. Then in the guise of Vaman, he stretched his stature and covered the sky, stars with his first step. With the second step, he spanned over netherworld. Realizing that he will destroy the earth in third step, the king offered his head in Vishnu’s last step.

However, Vishnu’s third step pushed Mahabali to the hell, But before he banished hin, he granted him with the boon of returning once a year from his exile keeping in mind his love for his people and kingdom.

This way, Onam is celebrated as a festival that marks the homecoming of the King, Mahabali.

Rituals & Celebrations

The festival of Onam or Thiuruvonam is celebrated without any discrimination against caste and religion. Considered as time of sports and activities, Onam is a celebrated for duration of ten days. Onam is the time of harvesting to rejoice and to celebrate as well. People of Kerala, on the ninth day called Utradam put mats of flowers in front of houses so as to greet the King. A season of gaiety and pomp, Onam, the tenth day is observed when people dress themselves in new clothes and visit temples. Also, clothes are also gifted as presents. Besides this, they also perform different kinds of dances, Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Tullal and many more. A grant lunch is conducted in the day of Thiuruvonam that is considered imperative from point of Kerala people.

In addition to this, a colorful boat festival takes place on the fifth day that is Uthruttathi. During this time, each boat is worshipped like a divine being.