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There's
a famous legend in Kerala about sweet memories
of a period of peace and prosperity in the
distant past when Mahabali, a celebrated emperor
of the Asuras, was supposed to be ruling over
this land. This was the golden age in the
history of the country. In fact there's a
popular folk song about it which tells that
when Maveli ruled, all men were equal ( doesn't
mention the women), they were leading a life
of happiness and nobody had any calamity.
There was neither dishonesty nor deception,
nor any use of counterfeit measures or other
kinds of unfair practice. In other words,
nothing dodgy in those days.
This
golden age came to a tragic close when Mahabali
was expelled from his Kingdom by Vamana, the
dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. So by the designs
of the jealous gods, the glorious reign of
the Asura emperor came to an end. But his
grateful subjects had one request - that their
former ruler might be permitted to visit the
land once a year. The time for his annual
visit was in the first Malayalam month Chingom
(August-September) and this occasion became
one of jubilation throughout the land, reminiscent
of the prosperous times of Mahabali.
True or false, the August celebration of Onam
has been a grand national harvest festival
for several centuries in which all sections
of the people participate on a grand scale.
The festival is supposed to begin from the
lunar asterism Atham which falls ten days
before the asterism Thiruvonam, the most important
day of the festival. In the front yard of
the house Athapoovu (a floral decoration)
is made for ten days from Atham to Thiruvonam
and the idol of Thrikkakkara Appan made of
clay is placed in the centre. It's well worth
a rickshaw ride to see these beautiful decorations
day after day.
On the Thiruvonam day every one bathes and
offers worship in temples early in the morning.
Then the brightest new garments are put on,
a bit like we would put on our best bib and
tucker for Christmas Day in the west. Presents
are exchanged. And then the elaborate - and
it truly is elaborate -the onam feast of countless
Kerala dishes served on plantain leaves begins.
Wonderful! No washing up afterwards. Just
chuck the banana leaves out to nature.
After the feast there will be sports and games,
both indoor and outdoor, in which men
and women of all ages participate. Mack fight,
ball games, card and chess play are the favourites
of the men folk whereas women find pleasure
in `Oonjalattom, Thumbithullal, Thiruvathirakali,
Kaikottikali and talking.
Boat races (regatta) also form another item
of onam festival which attract thousands of
people including tourists from outside the
state, particularly to the famous Snake boat
race at Alleppey.
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