P. A. Chacko
Onam is Kerala’s harvest festival. Though a story is built around a Hindu mythological king, this annual celebration has become an all Kerala cultural festival.
The legend says that Mahabali, a fair and generous king became an eyesore to the gods due to his popularity among the subjects. God Vishnu alighted from the heavens in the form of a dwarf-sized Brahmin, Vamana. He approached Mahabali with a request. In his generosity, Mahabali allowed him to express his wish. The wish was that the dwarf needed space for three steps. Mahabali allowed him to have it. The dwarf became a giant and, with his two steps, he covered the upper world and the earth. There was no space left. The generous king Mahabali let him have the third step on his head. The cunning Vishnu stepped on his head and pushed him down to the netherworld.
However, Mahabali was allowed to revisit his people annually.
The annual exercise of Mahabli coming back to his people is celebrated with a ten day festival with flower decorations, dances, boat race, food festivals at home etc.
People of all communities celebrate this harvest feast in a spirit of friendly cordiality.
