Onam, Malayalis’ iconic festival is back in all beauty and grace
Malayalis’ eagerly-awaited annual festival Onam stands out as one of the few celebrations in the world that blends mythology, veneration of nature and cultural expressions in a captivating tapestry.
This year, the ten-day Onam season starts on August 26, bringing in its wake a zealously-preserved tradition celebrated by Malayalis since ancient times, cutting across social and economic barriers. The festival culminates with the ‘Thiruvonam’ Day on September 5. Onam is defined by its beauty, grace, charm and inclusivity. Though at its core is a Hindu myth, Onam is a festival that blurs borderlines of faith and social rankings.
The festival is deeply ingrained in the socio-cultural ethos of Malayalis, whether they live in Kerala or in any part of the world.
Onam, which falls in the month of ‘Chingam’ in the Malayalam calendar, comes after three months of southwest monsoon, with fresh shoots springing from the bowels of the Mother Earth.
For an agricultural community, which Kerala essentially was until not-so-distant past, the season implied the paddy harvest time, mainly the principal crop rice.
The Mahabali myth
Onam has a legend linked to it. The region comprising Kerala was eons ago ruled by the Asura King Mahabali. So ideal was his reign that the kingdom was like a paradise on earth— no trace of theft, deception or malice of any kind.
Could such a harmony allowed to be flourished in the mundane world? Of course, it made the Devas envious. They hatched plans to bring an end to the golden era. Instigated by them, Lord Vishnu transfigured into a dwarf (Vamana) and came down before Mahabali. Always keen to welcome guests, the king expressed his willingness to grant anything the visitor would request.
The dwarf asked for three steps of earth. Mahabali agreed. Ahead of taking his first step, Vamana suddenly grew in size to emerge like a titan. Thus, his one foot covered the whole of earth, the second the whole of heaven. As there was no ground left, Mahabali offered his head for the Brahmin to place his foot on a third time.
The emperor was stomped down to the netherworld (Patal). Resolved to his downfall, the king asked for a favour: “Can I visit my subjects once a year?” Yes, said Vishnu generously. And, that’s Onam season, the homecoming of Mahabali every year, to be welcomed by his subjects with all honours.
