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ONAM - September
15th 2024
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Though
Onam is celebrated in southern states in India, it is
the famous festival of Kerala. It is celebrated by all
keralites (Malayalees) irrespective of cast, religion,
rich or poor. It falls in the month of Chingam
(Aug-Sept) the first month of the Malayalam calendar,
depending on the positioning of the stars and the moon. |
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Legend
states that Onam is celebrated as the home
coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled
over Kerala once, "when all men were equal,
when no one was poor, when there was neither
theft nor dread of thieves" and he was
pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala)
by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana. Keralites
celebrate Onam festival to commemorate the Advent
of Lord Mahavishnu as Vamana Avatar and to rejoice
the annual visit of Emperor
Mahabali to meet his people. The legent
of Onam may also be reflective of beginning
of Brahmins/Namboodiris (Vamanan) dominations
in Kerala and the fall of native residents (Mahabali)
of Kerala of that time.
Children go around collecting flowers and decorate
them in the front portion of the house (Pookkalam)
in various designs and patterns. The image of
Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana)
is installed in every Hindu home during the
Onam season.
The most important
days of the Onam festival are Uthradom
(September
14th 2024)
and Thiruonam days (September
15th 2024
).
On the latter, a grand feast, onasadya,
is held in every home. Onam also provides an
occasion for family get-together among the Keralites.
Onam is also the best time to plan one's travel
and tour in Kerala.
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It
is also a time for sports,
festivities and ritual celebrations in Kerala.
It synchronizes with the tourist
week celebration, which starts formally
on the day of Atham and the 10 day Onam festival
starts form this day… atham
pathinu ponnonam
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Colorful
aquatic festivals
are organized along the sacred River Pampa as
the part of the celebrations. The famous snake
boat races of Kerala are also celebrated
at the time of onam. At Aranmula, where there
is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna
and housands of people gather on the banks of
the River Pampa to witness the exciting snake
boat races called Arummula
vallamkali.
Nearly 30 chundan vallams
or snake boats participate in the festival.
Singing traditional boat songs, the oarsmen,
in white dhotis and turbans, splash their oars
into the water to guide their boats to cruise
along like a fish on the move. The golden lace
at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental
umbrella at the center make it a spectacular
show of pageantry too.
Each snake boat belongs to
a village along the banks of the River Pampa
and is worshipped like a deity. Every year
the boat is oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut
shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep
the wood strong and the boat slippery in the
water. The village carpenter carries out annual
repairs lovingly and people take pride in
their boat, which represents their village
and is named after it. "
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The
Uunjal aattam (swings) is another integral part
of Onam, especially in the rural areas. Young
men and women, with onakkodi (new dress), sing
Onappaattu (Onam songs) and swings one another.The
whole hearted enthusiasm and celebrations associated
with Onam is worth seeing for any visitors.
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