Onam: Kings & legends

[1]

Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan [1]

Onam, though celebrated in all south Indian states, is considered the national festival of Kerala. The emotional attachment the Malayalis
have with this festival is irrespective of caste, religion or status.
Onam has its roots in legends which have been variously interpreted, historically and symbolically. The most widely prevalent story is about Mahabali, the legendary asura king who ruled over Kerala. Jealous of the prosperity the kingdom attained in his reign, Lord Vishnu took the form of vamana, a dwarf Brahmin boy, came to Mahabali and begged for three feet of land. Mahabali granted his plea. The vamana measured the sky and the earth with two feet and turned to Mahabali for the third foot of land.
Giving in to the will of the Lord, Mahabali knelt before him, let him place his foot on his head and got pushed down to patal, the netherworld. The Lord, impressed by Mahabali’s character and, perhaps, guilty about his injustice, gave Mahabali permission to visit his subjects once a year — this day is believed to be Onam and is celebrated by Malayalis to welcome their favourite king.
The story of vamana placing his third foot on Mahabali’s head and sending him to underworld is also interpreted as the Aryans winning over the Dravidian king.
Another belief has it that this is the day Parasurama, who according to legend created Kerala, makes his annual visit to the land.
Onam is also believed to be the birthday of Mahadeva, the Lord of Thrikkakkara. In the famous Thrikkakkara temple, the 28-day-long festival introduced by Mahabalipperumal, the former emperor of Kerala, comes to a close on this very day.
In Bhadrakaalippattu, the ritual song sung to propitiate Goddess Kali, it is mentioned that Goddess Kali would come to see Lord Mahadeva on the day of Thiruvonam in the month of Sraavana. That’s why, on this day, the floor is decorated with flowers and people wait for the deity’s arrival.
Some historians hold the view that Onam was a festival prevalent in ancient Assyria.
The “sigurai” temples there resemble the shape of the Onam deity, Thrikkakara Appan.
The asuras, they say, may
have been Assyrians who invaded India and settled here, bringing along their culture and rituals.
The idol in Thiruppathi, Andhra Pradesh, is said to
be that of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Some historians strongly believe that the festival came to Kerala from Tamil Nadu, and developed
into Kerala’s own festival over time.
As the celebrated Oman song in Malayalam goes — Maveli nadu vaneedum kaalam, there was perhaps a time when all men were alike in every respect. May this nostalgic concept impart thrilling moments, at least during this season.