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Intoduction:
Onam is a Hindu
festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm
throughout Kerala between August and
September.
Description:
Onam is
the most popular festival of Kerala (a
southern coastal state of India). This is a
Hindu festival, celebrated with a great
enthusiasm throughout Kerala for a period of
ten days. Every year this festival falls on
the Malayalam month of Chingam - between
August and September and also known as the
harvest festival of Kerala.
Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu
festivals which is still celebrated with a
great devotion. Onam marks the homecoming of
King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled
Kerala in ancient times. That period was
believed to be the golden age of Karala,
people were happy, free from harm and
complete harmony and prosperity was there.
This golden age ended when Vamana (an avatar
of Lord Vishnu)
pushed King Mahabali, deep into the earth.
Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty and
generosity, the lord granted him a wish that
he can visit his kingdom and dear subjects
once in a year.
Onam is celebrated for ten days - Atham is
the first day and Thiruvonam is the final
day of the celebration. People wear new
clothes, decorate their houses and put
flower carpet called 'Pookalam' in front of
their houses, to welcome the King Mahabali.
Special pujas are offered in the temples in
early morning and younger members take
blessings and gifts from the elder members
of the family. During Onam traditional
rituals are performed followed by a lavish
feast with twenty-one homemade curries and
sweet payasam on plantain leaf. Spectacular
Carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat
races, music and the famous Kathakalli dance
are traditionally associated with this
festival. The state government of Karala
conducts Tourism Week celebrations in
connection with Onam, showcasing Kerala's
beauty and culture.
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