#IgnorantHindu is a project initiated in 2021 to collate and share details on Hindu festivals like rituals and traditions, legends and stories, processes and differentiation across the country. Here are the details and basic essential information on Onam. I request readers to provide further information that could be added to make it more complete.
Onam, the Harvest festival and Kerala are synonymous. It is the new year of the Malayali people, celebrating the homecoming of King Mahabali. The Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple (Kochi) is considered the abode of King Mahabali, and the Oman festivities start from there.
THE LEGEND OF ONAM
The story of King Mahabali.
Mahabali was the great-great-grandson of a sage Kashyapa and the great-grandson of a Hiranyakashipu (who was killed by Narsingh- the half man half Loin Avatar of Lord Vishnu),, and the grandson of Prahlada (Brother of Holika).
Mahabali, who had nectar (Amrit after Manthan), was immune to death. He could not be killed. He defeated the devas (Gods) and started ruling the three worlds. Devas approached Lord Vishnu for help, but he refused to do anything against his devotee and a good ruler.
Later, King Mahabali decided to do an Ashvamedha Yajna (Vedic sacrifice). He chose to grant anyone whatever they asked during the Yajna. Lord Vishnu appeared in his 5th Avatar as Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin who asked for land he could measure in three steps. It is said that King Mahabali realised and knew who the Vamana was but held to his words.
The Vamana ( Lord Vishnu Avatar) grew in size and covered everything King Mahabali ruled in just two-step. There was still another step left, and King Mahabali, to keep his word, offered his head for the third step.
This act of King Mahabali and the demonstration of his sticking to the words pleased Lord Visnu. Happy with him, Lord Vishnu made King Mahabali the king of Sutala, a world more beautiful than Swarga (Heaven). He also granted two boons. One that King Mahabali will become Lord Indra in the next Manvantara. And that he could visit his kingdom once every year. ONAM is the time King Mahabali visits Kerala.
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THE SECOND STORY
Creation of western Ghats and Kerala.
Once, Lord Vishnu was upset with the kings and the Kshatriyas – the warrior caste constantly at war among themselves. During the regime of King Kaartavirya, who terrorised sages and gods, Lord Vishnu took birth as Parashurama, son of Sage Jamadagni and his wife, Renuka.
Parashuram means Rama with an axe, also called Rama Jamadagyna, named after his father.
One day King Kaartavirya came to the abode of the sage Jamadagni and took away the calf born to the cow. It angered Parashurama, who was out then and declared war on the king. Where he defeated and killed the king and his army. Parashurama threw his axe at the war’s end, and the sea retreated from where the axe fell. Thus was Kerala and the western coastal area of India created. According to this story, Onam is celebrating the creation of Kerala by Parashurama.
10-Day Onam Celebration.
The Onam celebration starts with the first day, known as ATHAM. This day people welcome the spirit of King Mahabali. They make Pookalam, a floral decoration ( Rangoli), on the ground. People keep adding more flowers to the rangoli during the festival days.
Other days of Onamn are; (2nd day )CHITHIRA, (3rd day ) CHODHI, (4th) VISAKAM, (5th day)ANIZHAM- Snake Boat Race event called Vallamkali on the banks of the river Pamba at Aranmulla. (6th day)THRIKETA. (7th day) MOOLAM – New Pookalam is made.
On the 8th day, called POORADAM – Devotees create clay idols in the shape of small pyramids called Ma. Therefore, this day is also called Poorada Uttigal. (9th day) UTRADAM. And the 10th day is celebrated as THIRU ONAM- the day for the nine-course vegetarian meal called the Onasadya feast.
The SADHYA LUNCH.
The preparation for Sadhya begins a day in advance. Firstly, the ingredients are carefully chosen and arranged. Then after the cutting and chopping of veggies and fruits is done, the fire is lit. Prayers are offered to Agni, and after the Sadhya is prepared, it is first offered to the deities.
THE SADHYA DISHES.
Sambar Kerala style with roasted, rich spices, coconut shavings, vegetables like drumsticks, carrots, beans, pearl onions and lentils cooked in coconut oil and sambar masala. Thoran: A dry mixed vegetable dish made with carrots, beans, urad dal, green chillies and coconut oil. Pumpkin Errisery, mostly made with yellow Pumpkin, is best enjoyed with steamed rice and sambar. Puli Inji is a sweet, tangy chutney made with tamarind, ginger, green chillies, jaggery, and curry leaves. Palada Payasam is a sweet delicacy made with rice, sugar, ghee and milk, topped with cashews and raisins and is like kheer. Parripu curry, wholesome Kerala-style tadka moong dal. Kaalan, yoghurt-based Kalan, is a traditional dish made with coconut, yam, raw plantain and banana, and spices like turmeric, garam masala, and fennel seeds. Avial, unique stew made with mixed vegetables, first cooked in coconut milk and later cooked in coconut oil and an aromatic spiced curd. Rasam, made with tamarind paste, tomatoes, onions, chillies, spices, ginger, garlic etc, cooked in coconut oil. Upperi, deep fried sweet snack or sweet banana chips cooked in jaggery syrup and roasted in rice flour for a crunchy feel. Olan light dish prepared with ash gourd and black-eyed peas, coconut milk, curry leaves and coconut oil. Kootu Curry is a popular traditional thick curry made with vegetables and legumes. It contains black chickpeas, urad dal, yam, ginger, and curry leaves. Inji Thayir, an essential dish in Onam Sadhya, Inji Thayir is yoghurt with grated ginger, finely chopped green chillies, curry leaves and mustard seeds. Pappadam. And if that is not enough, there are different kinds of payasam / sweet dishes, jackfruit chips, and banana halwa.
( Sadhya lunch and dishes – information shared by Uday – My Kendriya Vidhayala classmate from Jabalpur)
STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH ONAM CELEBRATIONS.
- Boat Races- Vallam Kali
- Dance with Tigerskin drawn and painted on the body-Pulikali
- Flower Rangoli- Pookkalam
- Women Dance- Thumbi Thullal
- Mask Dance- Kummattikali
- Martial art demonstrations-Onathallu
- Plantation offerings- Kazhchakkula
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Information on Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Antim Sanskar, Yama- the lord of death, Baishakhi and Bihu, Holi, Makar Sankranti, Assthmangal Prasanam- the way of predicting future, Rahu-Ketu– the shadow planets, the 12 houses of horoscope, Maa Narmada Parikrama, Mahashivratri, Bhai Dooj, Navratri, Diwali, Dhanteras, Karva Chauth, Dussehra or Vijyadashmi, Ram Navami, Adhik Mass– the Hindu leap year and Shradh And Pitra Shrad has been covered under #IgnorantHindu Project.
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