Onam 2014 Celebrations at ANANTHA NAGAR, Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram
The legend of King Mahabali is the most popular and the most
fascinating of all legends behind Onam. Onam celebrates the visit of King
Mahabali to the state of Kerala every year. The festival is celebrated with
fervour as King Mahabali is greatly respected by his subjects. King Mahabali
is also popularly called Maveli and Onathappan.
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an
Asura (demon) king, Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom
and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said
that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali.
Everybody was happy in the kingdom, there was no discrimination on the basis
of caste or class. Rich and poor were equally treated.
It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap. Mahabali had a son called Bana, who became a legendary king in his own right and became popular as Banraj in central Assam. Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings.
There was neither
crime, nor corruption. People did not even lock their doors, as there were
no thieves in that kingdom. There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the
reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content. It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody
approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted. To test
the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called
Vamana.
The King was so much attached with his Kingdom and people that he requested
that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year. Lord Vishnu was moved by
the Kings nobility and was pleased to grant the wish. He also blessed the
King and said even after losing all his worldly possessions, the King would
always be loved by Lord Vishnu and his people.
It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as
Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of
King Mahabali. Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome
their King whom they affectionately call Onathappan. They wish to please the
spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him
well. The second day, Thiruvonam is the biggest and the most
important day of this festival.
It is believed that King Mahabali visits his
people on the second day.
A grand meal called Onasadya is also prepared to impress upon the spirit of the King that his people are happy and wish him well. Thiru Onam evenings are spent playing games and indulging in cultural events. Lightening and dazzling display of fire also takes place with much fan fair.
Onakalikal
is a collective name for the numerous games played on the occasion of Onam.
After a sumptuous Onasadhya meal, it's the ideal time to indulge in a little
bit of merriment and sports and energetic people of Kerala make the most of
it.
The other two interesting games played on the occasion are a ball game called Talappanthukali and a variation of Kabaddi locally called Kutukutu.
It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap. Mahabali had a son called Bana, who became a legendary king in his own right and became popular as Banraj in central Assam. Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings.
A grand meal called Onasadya is also prepared to impress upon the spirit of the King that his people are happy and wish him well. Thiru Onam evenings are spent playing games and indulging in cultural events. Lightening and dazzling display of fire also takes place with much fan fair.
The other two interesting games played on the occasion are a ball game called Talappanthukali and a variation of Kabaddi locally called Kutukutu.
