Onam- the festival of Mahabali
The festival of Onam is celebrated by Malayalees across the world. Here is the legend behind Onam:
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an Asura (demon) king, Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali, who ruled the then Kerala in an exemplary manner and as a model ruler, started attracting the attention of even Devas (who also had become under their control). They thought that if he continued the rule like this the position of Devendra (the King of Devas) will be in trouble. They brought this into the notice of Maha Vishnu, who promised to find a solution for this. He decided to visit Mahabali in the attire of a young Brahmin (Brahmachari). Maha Vishnu in this attire is termed as Vamana.
Mahabali was always ready to give anything he owned to anybody on request and he was a stickler to his words. Knowing this character, Vamana requested for three footage of land , which he would measure with his foot and take. Mahabali immediately agreed to this demand since it was nothing to him, since he had a very large kingdom itself under his command. Then Vamana took his original form (Thrivikraman – Maha Vishnu) and measured the whole of fourteen worlds with his two steps and requested Mahabali to provide space for the third step. Mahabali, having understood who Vamana was, stood on knees in front of him and requested to place his third foot on his head. Vamana did so and pushed Mhabali into Pathalam, thereby brought an end to his rule. Before going down, Mahabali requested Vamana to allow him to visit Kerala once in a year to see his people. This was agreed upon. Thus Mahabali is believed to be visiting Kerala on Thiruvonam day (in the month Chingam), which is being celebrated as Onam by every Malayalee.
Onam is unique since Mahabali (locally known as Maveli) has been revered by the people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily.
It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal-
Times when people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
No wicked person was in sight anywhere
All the people on the land were good.
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no false words or promises.
Measures and weights were right;
There were no lies,
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race
”
Onam mythology may have been devised as a political allegory/tool where by the subjects could remind the rulers about an Ideal King and a welfare state. Onam songs mentions many of the modern social/economic indicators of a Welfare State including Crime rates, Child Mortality rates etc. Rulers may also have promoted it as it may have served as an indicator/barometer of the popularity/unpopularity of their Governance policies. The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
(source : Wikipedia , http://www.onamfestival.org
;
Onam teaches us about several things:
1. Benevolence and the correct way
2. Attachment towards your people, no matter what your circumstances are
3. Control of ego
4. Keeping your promises , no matter what are the consequences And this is precisely why Onam appeals to every Malayalee, and probably to many non-Malayalees as well.
I first saw Onam festivities in my 1st MBBS days, at KMC Mangalore, organized energetically by the Malayalees with great devotion. I especially remember the devotion with which my foster sister, Milly Akkarapatty (God bless you) directed the festivities. Since then , I have had the occassion to see it in all my hospitals, in Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata and now Ranchi. The spirit remains the same.
Here are the Onam celebrations at my hospital, Medanta Ranchi
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an Asura (demon) king, Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali, who ruled the then Kerala in an exemplary manner and as a model ruler, started attracting the attention of even Devas (who also had become under their control). They thought that if he continued the rule like this the position of Devendra (the King of Devas) will be in trouble. They brought this into the notice of Maha Vishnu, who promised to find a solution for this. He decided to visit Mahabali in the attire of a young Brahmin (Brahmachari). Maha Vishnu in this attire is termed as Vamana.
Mahabali was always ready to give anything he owned to anybody on request and he was a stickler to his words. Knowing this character, Vamana requested for three footage of land , which he would measure with his foot and take. Mahabali immediately agreed to this demand since it was nothing to him, since he had a very large kingdom itself under his command. Then Vamana took his original form (Thrivikraman – Maha Vishnu) and measured the whole of fourteen worlds with his two steps and requested Mahabali to provide space for the third step. Mahabali, having understood who Vamana was, stood on knees in front of him and requested to place his third foot on his head. Vamana did so and pushed Mhabali into Pathalam, thereby brought an end to his rule. Before going down, Mahabali requested Vamana to allow him to visit Kerala once in a year to see his people. This was agreed upon. Thus Mahabali is believed to be visiting Kerala on Thiruvonam day (in the month Chingam), which is being celebrated as Onam by every Malayalee.
Onam is unique since Mahabali (locally known as Maveli) has been revered by the people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily.
It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated.
Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal-
Times when people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
No wicked person was in sight anywhere
All the people on the land were good.
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no false words or promises.
Measures and weights were right;
There were no lies,
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race
”
Onam mythology may have been devised as a political allegory/tool where by the subjects could remind the rulers about an Ideal King and a welfare state. Onam songs mentions many of the modern social/economic indicators of a Welfare State including Crime rates, Child Mortality rates etc. Rulers may also have promoted it as it may have served as an indicator/barometer of the popularity/unpopularity of their Governance policies. The beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
(source : Wikipedia , http://www.onamfestival.org
Onam teaches us about several things:
1. Benevolence and the correct way
2. Attachment towards your people, no matter what your circumstances are
3. Control of ego
4. Keeping your promises , no matter what are the consequences And this is precisely why Onam appeals to every Malayalee, and probably to many non-Malayalees as well.
I first saw Onam festivities in my 1st MBBS days, at KMC Mangalore, organized energetically by the Malayalees with great devotion. I especially remember the devotion with which my foster sister, Milly Akkarapatty (God bless you) directed the festivities. Since then , I have had the occassion to see it in all my hospitals, in Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata and now Ranchi. The spirit remains the same.
Here are the Onam celebrations at my hospital, Medanta Ranchi
Thanks a lot for the beautiful lines which you have shared with us regarding the Onam festival. Kerala is one of the best place which is filled with many beautiful festivals and also the other natural beauty. This is the best place for the honeymooners to spend out the honeymoon in a better way. I like this place more and more.
ReplyDeleteYes, Onam is a festival which all Malayalees across the world enjoy. Kerala is a beautiful place, filled with beaches, backwaters and groves, and Onam showcases all of these.
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