Onam 2024: Thiruvonam Date & Significance
The festival of Onam is mainly celebrated in Kerala in the Malayali linguistic region of South India. It is believed that Ditya Raj Mahabali comes from Heaven to meet his Malayali linguistic subject and bestows them with happiness and prosperity. Preparations begin ten days in advance to welcome them. Houses are decorated, and delicious dishes are prepared.
People decorate their houses with beautiful flowers. Besides, people prepare Rangoli at the entrance of the house. This pleases their adored King Mahabali. Onam is one of the most colourful festivals in India. Such is the popularity of this festival that the Kerala government celebrates it as a tourist event. During the Onam festival, events like boat races, dance, music, and banquets are also organised.
It is also said that at this time in Kerala, the harvest of tea, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and paddy is ready and people celebrate this festival and share happiness among themselves in the joy of a good harvest.
The Story Behind Onam Festival
There is a very popular story about the Onam festival. This story is considered by the Malayali-speaking people as the basis of this festival.
The Great King Mahabali
According to mythology, there used to be a king in ancient times, King Mahabali, who was the grandson of Prahlad, a beloved devotee of Lord Vishnu. The fame of King Bali was increasing among the people of the earth; due to his good deeds and good behaviour towards his subjects, his fame was on the rise.
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King Mahabali, despite being a demon king, used to take great care of his subjects, and his subjects respected him a lot. One of the characteristics of the king was that he actively participated in charity.
Conflict Between Other Gods And King Mahabali
As per the plan, Lord Vishnu took birth in the form of Vamana (Brahman) in the house of sage Kashyap. The child gradually grew up and became a young man. One day when the king was planning a big Yagya, Lord Vishnu, in the form of a Brahmin, reached the kingdom of Mahabali and met the king. On seeing Lord Vishnu, Shukracharya recognised him and understood his plan.
Lord Vishnu And King Mahabali
As per the tradition, Shukracharya warned King Mahabali; he said to the king, “Rajan, this is Vishnu; surely he has come to ask something from you. Don’t commit to charity without asking me.”
However, King Mahabali ignored this talk of Shukracharya. The king then said to Lord Vishnu, who came in the guise of a Brahmin, you can ask for whatever you want. On this, Lord Vishnu asked the king for three steps of land. The king smiled and said that you could take three steps of land wherever you wanted.
As the king said this, Lord Vishnu assumed his cosmic form and covered the entire earth in one step, the heaven in the second step. Then he asked King Bali where he should put his third leg. On this, the demon king Mahabali smiled and said – “This world is so small for you, what should I do, Lord? Now only my head is left.”
Conclusion
Festivals in India are about celebrating happiness. During the year, various festivals are celebrated with varying rituals and methods. The festival of Onam is largely about the love of a people towards their hero and reaffirming their commitment to the moral example set up by their hero King Mahabali.
