Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are centered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. Being a harvest festival, it is time to thank God for the bountiful yield and enjoy the bounty of nature after a year of hard labor. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewelry and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with colored rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their homes. The legendary king Mahabali is welcomed to his kingdom with all the reverence. Prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu for his divine kindness. The legend states that Onam is celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and all are equal. Mahabali was an Asura king of Kerala and was very efficient and truthful. During his ruling it is said that there was no thieves, no corruption, no betrayal. And all people lived united, without the difference of rich or poor and all are equal.He became very popular day by day and the Gods could not be tolerated the popularity of the King Mahabali. They sought help from Lord Vishnu who was worshiped by the King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a poor and Brahmin, called Vamana. Vamana was small in size like a boy and came to the kingdom of Mahabali just after his morning prayers, when the King gave boons to Brahmins.The Vamana asked for as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King made a promise to do so. Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. And asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot .
Send Greeting Card
