Onam Festival-What is the meaning of Onam? Story of Onam festival
Onam Festival-What is the meaning of Onam?
“Onam 2019 in Kerala will begin on Tuesday, 10 September and ends on Friday, 13 September Dates may vary.”
Onam, held in August and September for 10 days, originated in Kerala to celebrate the golden rule of King Mahabali.Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala and is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is believed to be the National festival of Kerala. Onam is celebrated each year in the month of August-September which according to the Malayalam calendar is the first month of the year called Chingam.
Onam Festival – The legend behind Kerala’s state festival
The story behind this festival goes like this .. . Once upon a time the asura monarch Mahabali ruled Kerala. His rule was so benign that the devas became jealous and fearful that his subjects would turn away from them. To prevent this Vishnu reincarnated himself as Vamana, a Brahmin dwarf, tricked Mahabali and banished him to the netherworld.But before leaving, Mahabali extracted a promise from Vishnu that each year he could return to inquire after the well-being of his subjects. This festival celebrates the annual return of Mahabali.
Read More Onam – Pre-eminent festival in Kerala
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How do we celebrate onam?
Onam Celebration continues for ten days in the state of Kerala. Carnival of Onam encompasses a spectrum of fascinating activities. Traditional people of Kerala even go out of their way to celebrate the festival exhaustive of stipulated customs and traditions in full grandiose.
1. Atham Athachamayam
Of all these days the first day Atham and the tenth day Thiruvonam are the most significant ones. Ninth day Uthradam is also considered to be extremely important from the point of view of celebrations in several parts of Kerala.
2 Onam Pookkalam – Traditional way of making Atha pookalam
Onam Pookkalam – the exquisite flower mat starts from Atham day and continues till Thiruvonam
Celebrations of the first day are marked by intricate floral carpets called Pookalam. More flowers of different colours are added to this pookalam on each passing day. Girls take great delight in designing them in the front courtyards of their house. Boys take pleasure in helping them gather flowers.
Right from day one of the festival, called Atham colours begin to emanate from this ebullient festival. Making of Pookalam starts from this very day and continues till Thiruvonam. When the Aththa Poo reaches an overwhelming size and most elegant design. It’s a brilliant feeling to walk in the streets of Kerala at this time.
3. Onathappan (Thrikkakarappan)
Onathappan is also known as Thrikkakarappan. It is a pyramid-like structure made from mud. Generally, this pyramid-like structure symbolizes Lord Vishnu’s avatar Vamana. For some people, pyramid structure also symbolizes the king Mahabali. Onathappan is generally made during Onam season in Kerala. Onathappan is made to remind the story of Lord Trikkakarappan.
