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The story behind the Onam Festival!

Long, long ago, an Asura (demon) king named Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and loved by his subjects. Soon he conquered the three worlds. Aditi, the mother of Devas went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu incarnated in the form of a dwarf named Vamana and approached Mahabali while performing a sacrifice (yajn) and asked for alms. Mahabali granted him a wish. The Vamana asked for three steps of land to live in, and the king agreed. Vamana grew to great proportions. In the first step, he covered the heavens and with the second, he covered the underworld. Realizing that Vamana’s third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step to save this world. Vishnu pushed him to the underworld, but before banishing him to the underworld, Vishnu granted him a blessing. He was allowed to return once a year to visit his people. It is during this day, called Onam, that Kerala pays tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his life for his people. There is an expectation that one day Maha Bali will return and establish her glorious kingdom once more on earth.

The period of the king of the great sacrifice when he ruled Maha Bali. Here is a song that we have been singing for generations during the Onam festival:

“Maveli Nadu Vanidum Kalam
Manusharellarum Onnupole
Amodatode vasikum kalam
apathangarkumottilla thanum
Adhikal Vyadhikal Onnumilla
Maranangal bullet Kelkanilla
Kallavumilla Chathivumilla
Ellolamilla Poli Vachanam
Kallaparium Cheru Nazhiyum
Kallatharangal mattonumilla “

It translates as:

“When Maveli, our King, ruled the earth,
The whole town was one.
And the people live happy and cheerful;
All were free from harm.
There was no anxiety or illness
The death of the children was not even known,
There were no lies
There is no theft or deception,
And no one is false in speech either.
The measurements and weights were correct;
No one cheated or wronged their neighbor.
When Maveli, our King, ruled the earth,
All the peoples formed a race without caste. “

Onam is the only festival that Kerala Christians celebrate in common with Hindus; It is the only festival that is celebrated together even by outcasts, untouchables, Christians, Muslims and the high castes.

The Onam festival lasts for ten days and falls during the harvest season.

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