The ten days Onam festival started on Friday with a grand ‘Athachamayam’ parade in Tripunithura, 10 kms from Kochi, the cultural capital of Kerala. The festival of Onam is associated with new crops and it has special significance culturally and mythologically. Onam is the most significant and grand festival of the state of Kerala in South India, which symbolises the cultural heritage and religious traditions of the state.
It is celebrated in the Chingam month (first month of the calendar) of the Malayalam calendar, which falls during August-September. The significance of Onam is not only religious, but it also reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The festival is associated with the legend of King Mahabali (also known as Raja Bali), who is remembered even for his greatness. The basis of celebrating Onam festival is the legend of King Mahabali. His time period is remembered as the golden age, when all people were equal and the country had an abundance of food, wealth and peace.
King Mahabali’s greatness worried the Gods, as he was challenging their position. Therefore, Lord Vishnu took the Vamana incarnation and asked for alms from King Mahabali in the form of a Brahmin boy. He asked for a donation of three steps of land from the king, which the king happily accepted. In the Vamana incarnation, Lord Vishnu measured the earth and the sky in two steps with his divine power and for the third step the King Mahabali offered himself. Seeing his devotion and sacrifice, Lord Vishnu gave blessed him that he could come back to meet his subjects once a year. This day is celebrated as Onam.
Onam begins with Athachamayam, a grand parade held in Tripunithura. The parade signifies many folk arts of Kerala, including traditional dances such as Kathakali, Theyyam, Pulikali, and Kolkali. The procession welcomes the symbolic return of King Mahabali and shows the beginning of the ten-day celebration of Onam. People from all communities come together during Athachamayam to celebrate the festival, making it a symbol of social unity and harmony.
The most significant attraction of Onam is Onasadya, a traditional feast. More than 26 types of dishes are served in this feast. Onasadya is served on a banana leaf and includes dishes like rice, sambar, avial, thoran, olan, kichadi, payasam. Family members eat this feast sitting together, which symbolizes mutual love and harmony.
Onam also has immense cultural significance. This festival keeps the cultural heritage and traditions of Kerala alive. Many cultural programs are organised during this time, including Kathakali dance, Pulikali (tiger dance), Vallam Kali (boat race), and other traditional dances. Pulikali is famous, in which people dress up as tigers and dance as this dance is organised in different parts of Kerala on the occasion of Onam.
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