Onam
Onam, the national festival of Kerala is celebrated during the month of August-September. The festival cherishes the memory of the legendary King Mahabali and his prosperous reign during which, perfect communal harmony and prosperity prevailed. It was a glorious period and people were happy. The King Mahabali's popularity was at its height and led to the envy of the Gods. This golden age ended when Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu expelled him from his throne to the neitherlands. But Mahabali was allowed to visit his dear subjects once in a year. He visits his dear Kingdom during the first Malayalam month of Chingam an occasion that fills the whole state with joy and merriment.
Onam is also the harvest season. Nature is divinely beautiful and Kerala becomes lush green with the spring season. Flowers bloom in plenty and butterflies bring a rainbow of colour. The people decorating their houses with 'Onapookalam' or floral arrangements on floor to welcome.
Onam
is related with King Mahabali who was ruling kerala in a time. He was an Asura
king but was very nice and trueful. During his ruling time it is said that
people don't even lock their house in the night because , there was no thieves,no
corruption,no betrayal. And all people lived unitedly, without the difference
of rich and poor. All where facing a good time. Like wise the king was so
good that he will give anything to anyone. At that time the Hindu lord Mahavishnu
decided to test King Mahabali. He came to earth as vamana a poor dwarf, and
went straight to King Mahabali. He told the King that he has nothing and he
want three feet of land to live. The king hearing this laughed and told Vamana
to take three feet of land from where ever he wishes. Suddenly Vamana began
to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with
other foot. And asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot. By seeing
all these, the king understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person, and
Vamana has come to test him so the king without hesitating showed his head
to keep the third foot. Vamana kept his third foot on the King's head and
the King was pushed down under the earth (pathala). The king after going to
Pathala asked Vamana his true identity, Suddenly Vamana vanished and Lord
Mahavishnu stood before Mahabali. Mahabali was overjoyed by seeing this. The
lord told Mahabali that he wanted to test Mahabali and he has won in that.
The lord also asked Mahabali to ask any boon for himself. Mahabali told the
lord that, he loved his people very much so he wanted permission to visit
Kerala once in a year. And the lord gave permission for that. It is that day
ie. the day Mahabali visits kerala is celebrated as Onam.
