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| ONAM |
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| Celebrated In
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Kerala |
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| Significance :
Harvest Festival |
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| Duration :
10 days |
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| In the month
of :
August/September |
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The Harvest Festival
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival
that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural
repertoire of every Malayalee. |
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| It brings back
nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore, of a bygone Utopian era
of prosperity, equality and righteousness, under the golden reign of Mahabali.
Year after year, for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste,
creed or colour, join together to welcome back their vanquished king. The
ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning
of the harvest season. |
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The Legend
According to local belief, in a war that took place between the gods and the
demons, the demons won. Deeply hurt by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their
mother prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy Mahabali, the demon king.
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| Consequently, Lord Vishnu, in
the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to grant
him three steps of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole
land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can
he place the third step.
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| The king to honour his word,
offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali deep down into the
earth. Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a
wish that he could he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day
once a year. |
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The Festivity
Preparation of a floral carpet called "Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from
the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is part of the
festivities, which is a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali.
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| The state government conducts
Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing the gems of
Kerala's culture. Onam resonates with Carnivals, Boat Races, Dance, Music and
Feast.
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| A sumptious meal on plantain
leaf and the traditional sweet dish of Kerala 'Payasam' etc are served in every
house The pomp and pageantry of Onam reflects the Keralite's zest for all the
beautiful things of life. |
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