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| Onam |
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| A legend of Kerala is about the sweet memories
of a period of peace and prosperity in the distant past when
Mahabali, a celebrated emperor of the Asuras, was supposed to
be ruling over this land. His period is believed a have been
the golden age in the history of the country. A popular folk
song narrates the glories of that period. When Maveli ruled,
all men were equal, they were leading a life of happiness and
nobody had any calamity-thus goes the song. |
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| There was neither dishonesty nor deception, nor
was there any instance of false utterance, use of counterfeit
measures of other kinds of unfair practice. Perfect harmony,
communal and otherwise, prevailed. In short it was ideal welfare
state, the legend tells us. |
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But this golden age came to a tragic
close when Mahabali was expelled from his Kingdom by Vamana
, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. Thus by the designs of the
jealous Gods, the glorious reign of the Asura emperor came to
an end. But his grateful subjects, request that their former
ruler might be permitted to visit the land once a year, was
granted. The time for his annual visit was in the first Malayalam
month Chingom (August-September) and this occasion became one
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| of Jubilation throughout the land, reminiscent
of the prosperous times of Mahabali. |
Whatever be the truth behind this
legend, Onam has for last several centuries been a grand national
harvest festival in which all sections of the people participate
with extreme Jubilation. As has been mentioned earlier the festival
falls in Chingom, the Malayalam month corresponding to August-September.
The festival is supposed to begin from the lunar asterism Atham
which falls ten days before the asterism Thiruvonam. The preparations
for the celebration begin on the
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| Atham day.The Thiruvonam is the most important
day of the festival. In the front yard of the house Athapoovu
(floral decoration) is made for ten days from Atham to a Thiruvonam.
The idol of Thrikkakkara Appan made of clay is placed in the
middle of the floral decoration, a clear example of the aesthetic
sense of the Malayalam who do it with a sense of devotion. |
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On the Thiruvonam day every one bathes
and offers worship in temples early in the morning. Then the
gayest new garments are put on. Presents are distributed to
the younger members of the family. Then follows the onam feast
of delicious food served on plantain leaves. Members of families,
staying far away from native places make it a point to visit
their ancestral homes to celebrate the festival in the company
of their kith and kin. |
| Vishu |
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The first day of the Malayalam month Medam (Aries)
which is the astronomical New Year day when the sun crosses
the equator. Vishu, the new years day is considered the best
to begin new ventures. We believe that the first thing that
one sees on waking up on Vishu day is indicative of the new
year's prosperity. Thus Vishukkani (the first thing seen on
Vishu day) has become a ritual of great importance here. Quite
a few agricultural products and other articles which are
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considered auspicious and imbued
with some ritual significance are arranged in an uruli (a shallow
bell metal vessel) on the eve of Vishu, to be seen by all members
of the family on waking up. These auspicious articles include
raw rice, a length of new cloth, ripe cucumber,green mangoes,
betel leaves, arecanut, jack fruit, a metal mirror, the yellow
flowers of the Konna (Cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins.
A lighted Nilavilakku is placed alongside. |
| Another ritual that marks the day is Kaineettam
(hansel) when the older members give a coin to the younger members
of the family. |
| Thiruvathira |
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Thiruvathira falls in the Malayalam month of
Dhanu. The people celebrate this festival upon age-old tradition
and they do it with great joy and respect for the past. It is
considered to be high auspicious to worship Siva and the devotees
go to the temple before sunrise for 'darshan'. At night the
women keep vigil for Siva and perform Thiruvathira kali. They
stand in a circle around lighted brass lamp, and dance each
step at the rhythm of the songs they sing, clapping their hands.
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