Onam

29 Oct 2024 11:41:58 am

Tags : Onam

Topic: Festivals

Why in the news?

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greeting on the occasion of Onam.

Source: PIB

About Onam:

It is a major harvest festival in Kerala and is celebrated to honour the home-coming of Asura king Mahabali who brought about peace and prosperity in Kerala.
It is one of the three major festivals of Kerala, celebrated during the month of Chingam, the first month in the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham.
The other two major festivals of the state are Vishu and Thiruvathira.
The 10-day harvest festival begins on Atham (first day of Onam) and concludes on Thiruvonam (last day).
Onam is celebrated by making Pookkalam (the flower rangolis). Other rituals are also performed which includes-Vallam Kali (the boat races), Pulikali (the tiger dances), Kummattikali (mask dances), Onathallu (martial arts), among others.
The main attraction is the traditional Onam sadhya (grand feast).
Mythological context: A battle took place between Mahabali (Asura or demon) and Vamana (avatar of Vishnu), where Mahabali is revered as the unchallenged King of Malayalis.