Like all other festivals, Onam also carries various legends and
traditional beliefs. This year Onam will be celebrated from 30
August to 8 September 2022. Do you know what the story behind the
Onam festival is? Well, read on. Onam is connected with King
Mahabali and the golden era of his reign. The prominent story
behind Onam is about King Mahabali and Vamanan (the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu).
According to the story, King Mahabali is sent to another world
called Pathala by Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Vamana. It is believed
that during Thiruvonam, the most important day among the 10 days of
Onam, King Mahabali will come back to his homeland to see his
people.
This legend of Onam is famous across the globe, as you can find
many Malayalis around the world celebrating its significance.
The annual visit of Mahabali is celebrated as Onam. It is also
considered as a festival of harvest and prosperity. After the rainy
deprivation month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam will come
with its pleasant enthusiasm.
There will be bright sunlight and colourful flowers blooming
during this season. This makes pookalam or flower rangoli an
important part of the Onam celebration.
One of the best parts of Onam is that it is celebrated by all
people in Kerala, irrespective of caste and religion.
A long time ago, Kerala was ruled by King Mahabali who was wise,
sagacious and warm-hearted. It is believed that the state enjoyed
all prosperity during his reign. King Mahabali made sure that his
subjects got everything they wanted. The story behind Onam begins
from here, where mankind had a better time.
King Mahabali, according to the legend of Onam, is said to be
the grandson of Prahalad and the son of Veerochana, who were demons
or asuras. So, Mahabali was an asura too, but he had no trait of it
because he was fervid towards Lord Vishnu from his childhood. Due
to the piety to Lord Vishnu, Mahabali attained power and
strength.
The story behind Onam narrates the jealousy incidents of the
Gods on Mahabali. As the popularity of the King increased, gods and
goddesses thought this as a threat to their lordship. They began to
think Mahabali as a rival and requested Lord Vishnu to help. Lord
Vishnu was in dilemma first. But, when the gods and goddesses
explained the threat, lord Vishnu agreed to help.
By turning to a poor dwarf Brahmin, Lord Vishnu, as Vamana, went
to see King Mahabali. He requested Mahabali to give a small piece
of land. Mahabali told him to take as much as he desires. But,
Vamana told he needs only three feet of land.
Soon, Vamana increased in size and his first step covered the
whole earth while his second the whole of skies. For keeping the
promise, Mahabali bowed before the boy and asked him to place the
feet on his head. Before doing so, Vamana revealed the truth that
he is Lord Vishnu. So, Mahabali was pushed to the nether world with
happiness.
As a loving and caring ruler, Mahabali requested Lord Vishnu to
allow him to visit his land and people. He wished to see his
subjects once a year. Lord Vishnu granted the boon and was pleased
by Mahabali for his love that he had towards his kingdom and
people.
This is the story behind Onam, and every year Keralites welcome
their king Mahabali with all enthusiasm and happiness.
