Onam is the most colorful festival, celebrated especially in Kerala. Here in the state, the passion for this festivity is worth seeing tourists from around the world visit Kerala. The peaceful backwaters turn into a bustling state as the boatmen prepare for the famous snake boat race.
This is a 10 days festival; during these days, Keralites celebrate many activities. People here celebrate this day to welcome the arrival of their King Mahabali. Let’s get to know the legend of Mahabali.
The Legend Related To King Mahabali
Once there was a King named Mahabali who was the Asura king of kings and was ruling the whole Earth. The king was so giving and compassionate at heart; everyone was happy during his rule. Day by day, he was getting more fame, threatening the Devas in heaven. Hence they reached Lord Vishnu and asked for a solution. The Devas thought that soon the king might also become ruler of their Loka.
Since Bali was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, the Lord didn’t agree to kill him. Instead, Vishnu wanted a peaceful way to remove Bali’s kingdom. Vishnu took birth in a Brahmin family to a sage and his wife. Vishnu became a dwarf brahmin called Vamana.
Vamana one day reached King Bali, where he was performing a Yagna. Seeing the Brahmin, Bali approached him and asked for his wish. Vamana only asked for a land equal to his three footsteps. Bali wanted to give him more, but when Vamana insisted, he agreed and gave him three footsteps land.
Vamana then turned into his real gigantic avatar of Lord Vishnu. He placed one of his feet in the sky and another on Earth. Vamana then asked Bali where he should put his third footsteps. Since Bali was a devotee of Vishnu, he offered his head. Vishnu gently placed his foot on Bali’s head, and this way, Bali surrendered himself to the Supreme.
Since Bali surrendered himself wholeheartedly, Vishnu sent him to the Pathala Loka and immortalized him. He made Bali the ruler of Pathal Loka. Bali’s people wanted to see their king, so they requested Lord Vishnu later. Lord permitted Bali to visit Earth once a year and see his former kingdom at their request.
Since then, Onam has been considered the period during which King Bali visited Kerala, which was his kingdom. People decorate their homes and celebrate the festival for ten days as a way to welcome their king.
Reasons Why We Love Onam
1. The Delicious Spread of Onam Sadya
Onam Sadya is a huge feast that includes over 15 traditional vegetarian dishes of Kerala. All these are served on a banana leaf, and people eat using their hands. This Kerala-styled feast includes Parippu, rasam, aviyal, pickles, sambar, pulisseri, olan (veg stew in coconut milk), payasam and prathaman, etc.
People here prepare this feast wholeheartedly and serve it with great hospitality.
2. The Excitement of Snake Boat Races
Onam is known for its boat racing or snake boat racing. It is so famous worldwide that whenever we name Onam, the image of colorful boats racing against each other clicks to mind. The oldest racing happens in Aranmula, and there are many other places where this race takes place.
The boats participate in the Nehru Trophy Boat race, and more than 100 boatsmen participate with their boats. This is truly an adrenaline-filled experience for which a big crowd gathers and gets amazed.
3. The Elaborate Floral Rangoli
Among many happening things, rangoli is another activity in which people participate and make big floral designs called Pookalam. They create these designs in front of their home, on roads that seem like a carpet of flowers. They look so beautiful that you won’t want to step on them.
4. Kasavu Sarees and Traditional Finery
Kasavu is the traditional saree of Kerala, which is white and has golden borders. Here women wear Kasavu during Onam; it looks even more beautiful with gold jewelry and flowers in their hair. The Kasavu, also known as Mundum Neriyathum, was called in the olden days. The saree is also a part of Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings and is one of the oldest forms of sarees.
5. The Colourful Street Processions
The next reason to love Onam is the colorful and bog processions in Kerala’s streets. People come together and perform folk dances, street plays, and other performances, which all become a part of the processions.
So these are some amazing reasons one should love Onam and why the festivity is a must-see. This year, Onam will be celebrated on August 30 and will go on till September 8. If you also want to witness the beauty of Onam, go pack up, ask your friends to accompany or plan a solo trip to Kerala.
