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Onam in 2017: About Onam Festival

Author: S N Rao | Last Updated: Fri 3 Mar 2017 4:18:55 PM

onam, 2017, date

Onam 2017 date is September 4. Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug-Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala. Onam is celebrated over four days – The Onnam Onam or First Onam, second Onam or the most important day of Onam is the Thiruvonam, and the third Onam is Munnam Onam. The fourth Onam is called Nalaam Onam.

About Onam : The Origin

Onam or Thiruvonam originated as a joyous annual reminiscence of the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king, who ruled Kerala a very long time ago. It recalls the sacrifice of the great king, his true devotion to God, his human pride and his ultimate redemption. Onam welcomes the spirit of a great king, and assures him that his people are happy and wish him well.

The Legend Behind Onam

Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with the festivities of Onam. Legend has it that the Gods plotted against Mahabali to end his reign. For this they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin. But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Lord Vishnu granted the king's sole wish: To visit his land and people once every year.

Onam is a celebration for ten days. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating these ten days will pomp and gaiety. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, they will be performing lot of dances like Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Thullal etc. to name a few and the most important thing is the grant lunch they will be having on the Thiruvonam day. Which is also called the Second Onam. Whatever may happen they will not miss the Grand lunch.

There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means, "We should have the Thiruvonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruvonam day. Food in Kerala is served on banana leaves; each one is a about two feet in length, and on the left of the leaf a little pickle is placed along with banana chips ( a favourite with keralites), papadom and different types of curd, either mixed with cucumber (pachadi), or fried lady's fingers (khisty) and coconut chutney. Rice, the main dish, is served with many types of vegetable curry. A different curry is served with each helping of rice. The first course is usually with sambhar and pure ghee. Then comes rasam and aviyal (a large number of vegetables cooked in a curry, again a speciality), thuvaran (string beans cooked dry in a little mustard oil, mustard seeds and grated coconut; cabbage can also be prepared like this), kalan (dahi with some vegetables), and olan (a type of yam cooked like a vegetable).

Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is peculiar to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity, especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life's unlimited joys.

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