Manusharellarum onnupole

Onam, is the state festival of Kerala, a southern Indian state.

The story goes that Vamana (a disguised Lord Vishnu) visited the king and asked for land as much as three paces of his feet. Granted the wish, Vishnu/Vamana grows in size to conquer the Heaven in one footstep and Earth in another.
Mahabali, true to his word, then offers himself for Vamana to step on as the third footstep.
Thus, King Mahabali is sent down to the heaven like "Underworld".

The festival celebrates the visit of the Asura King Mahabali's visit to his kingdom and people.One of the festivals, that has survived the modern times, the song often sung during Onam still holds good for any well governed state:
"Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole"

Meaning
"When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal."


Quick lowdown on the names of the 10 days of Onam, that my aunt refuses to believe that I am even aware of.... being a non resident Keralite !

Day 1 ATHAM
Day 2 CHITHIRA
Day 3 CHODHI
Day 4 VISHAKAM
Day 5 ANIZHAM
Day 6 THRIKETA
Day 7 MOOLAM
Day 8 POORADAM
Day 9 UTHRADAM
Day 10 THIRUVONAM

The hangover day after Thiruvonam is called Avittom, marks the preparations for King Mahabali's ascension to heavens.




Moral  - The good get downtrodden and are few & far in between. But remembered nevertheless !

HAPPY ONAM

Courtesy - The WWW.

Wings of color

  

10 things to do on a weekend afternoon.

  
1. Stroll by the green expanse in the afternoon sun  
and cool breeze


2.      Rock yourself to the sound of silence in the rocking chair


3.      Observe the perseverance of the bird trying to build a nest straw by straw 

 

4.      Watch out for the whirring of the humming bird trying to aim at the nectar

 

5.      Listen to the chirping of the birds in conversation at the bird feeders at the early dinner


 
6.      Respect the parent bird trying incessantly to fly in and out with food to feed its little ones waiting inside the nest
 

 
7.      Admire the meek chirps of the little ones as the parent feeds them.

 

8.      Soak in the evening rays of the sun that adds magical hue to the surroundings

 
9.      Breathe in the freshness of the air

 

10.  Trail a butterfly adding color to the flowers

It’s a little sweet grove , nature at its best. This nature center is located in Illinois, USA.  
Picture courtesy: Afternoon sun, posing butterflies, room mate's IPhone6.