Ref: The legend behind ONAM [ONUM] festival of Kerala.
Thanks JPR:
Onam is very special to all Keralites [Malayalees] of all religions 'cos the legend behind is very noble.
'KERALA DURING ONAM SEASON'
We cry and laugh
We fret and fume
We fight and quarrel
But we are one
No rich no poor
No caste no creed
As we are one
There is feast there is song
There is dance there is merriment
United we stand
Always hand in hand
Prove we belong to a Land
To Kerala God's Own Land
By:Srikumar Menon
[http://207.156.232.36/mahatma/onam.htm]
The story behind Onam is as follows:
"Interestingly, Onam's legendary origin seems peculiarly apt to today's environment. It is said that during the reign of Mahabali, an asura king, all citizens were happy and content, there was no caste, no religion, no other form of discrimination.
All of which, of course, made Mahabali very popular -- to such an extent that even the devas became jealous of him. At their earnest pleading, Lord Vishnu came down to earth as a small Brahmin boy and, by strategem, banished him to the nether regions -- but not before Mahabali earned the right to visit his subjects one day in the year.
The Kerala government, of course, has now extended Mahabali's visitation rights to an entire week -- which is how long the state-sponsored celebrations last.
What I appreciate most about the state celebrations is that as in Mahabali's time, it does away with discrimination between the poor and the rich -- at least for the duration. It is an inspiring sight, to see all Keralites, irrespective of class, caste and religion getting together, moving through the crowded roads, rubbing shoulders with one another and celebrating in joy and harmony.
That, after all, was the spirit of Mahabali's reign -- a society based on equality, on the oneness of human beings.
And it is a message peculiarly apt in today's turbulent times...
Source:An article from Rediff
Here is the article and related materials from Rediff.
rediff.com
rediff.com
Other festivals of Kerala.
kerala.com
Here is some miscellaneous info and pics.
perceptindia.com
perceptindia.com
perceptindia.com |
