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.
