After the Kerala floods of 2018 and 2019, and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, this year Kerala celebrated Onam to its fullest.
Published Sep 08, 2022 | 7:47 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2022 | 9:00 PM
A Pookkalam put up for Onam. (Creative Commons)
Onam, the biggest festival of Kerala that was celebrated on Thursday, 8 September, was special this year as it came after two years of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.
The festival was also not celebrated in its full vigour in 2018 and 2019 due to the flood havoc in the state.
Sadya (the elaborate feasts served in banana leaves), snake-boat races, Pulikali (dance in tiger costumes), and Pookalam (a decoration made with flowers) are some of the main attractions of the 10-day-long festival.
Celebrated by Malayalis around the world cutting across classes, caste and religion, Onam stands as a testimony to the secular nature of the state of Kerala.
Actually a harvest festival, Onam is celebrated to welcome the homecoming of the King Mahabali, who is affectionately called Maveli.
According to folklore, Mahabali — an asura or demon — was sent to Paatal (the netherworld) by Lord Vishnu’s little-person avatar Vaamanan. This was done with the advice of the gods, who were envious of his rule.
However, Mahabali was allowed to meet his subjects once every year. This homecoming is celebrated as Onam.
The story also says that the people of Kerala lived a prosperous and egalitarian life under Mahabali’s rule.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement issued through Chief Minister’s Office, said Onam teaches people to unite by transcending all the differences, and wished the people of Kerala and Malayalis around the world a happy Onam.
The Kerala government has also started disbursing Onam kits — with 14 items in each kit — through ration shops. Vijayan inaugurated the programme on 20 August. It is expected to benefit 87 lakh ration-cardholders in the state at a cost of ₹425 crore.
“Onam greetings to everyone, especially the people of Kerala and Malayali community spread around the world. This festival reaffirms the vital role of Mother Nature and the importance of our hardworking farmers. May Onam also further the spirit of harmony in our society,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan also extended Onam wishes.
