Archives

by Mahinda Unnithan

Vice President - Sri Lanka Malayalee Welfare Association Co-ord: Secretary - Malayala Kalalayam

September 8th is a significant and eventful day, this current for the Malayalees of Kerela State - South India, as it is the beginning of Onam festival. "Onam" is a harvest festival which falls in the month of "Shravan" (August/September) when it is Spring in Kerela.

This is the national festival of the commuity with a very long tradition and legendary significance. Malayalees throughout the world, celebrate this festival of peace happiness and prosperity, as a single community, irrespective of religion, caste, or any other differences. It is a state holiday for ten (10) days each year in Kerela when the people rejoice with splendour, feasting, cultural displays of song and dance, religious activities, sports and games of skills and traditional family reunions and visitation among kith and kin.

"Onam" also has a legendary story dating back several centuries, when the land of Kerela and vast parts of South India were ruled by an Asura (demon) monarch by the name of Mahabali. This king was a very wise and judicious man with a very magnanimous heart. He was very considerate and kind and was loved and respected by his subjects. During his period of rule, the land was flowing with milk and honey, what with bountiful harvests, full granaries, prosperity to the people, peace and happiness - and a contented people loved and respected him. The nation was free of want and misery.

A contended people, slowly and steadily began to forget their obligations to pay regular obeisance to god - the creator. They failed to make visitation to the temples of god, thereby infuriating the gods in heaven. The gods felt jealous and angry - they decided to end the ruler. The heavens thundered and the Triumvirate of Gods - Easwara - Vishnu - Brahma, deliberated and decided to send Lord Vishnu to earth to counter the ruler 'Mahabali".

The Lord appearing as a poor Brahamin boy by the name Vamana appeared at the Palace and met the king. The king immediately ordered, that the emaciated beggar boy be fed first, thereafter he inquired after the boy's requirements.

All the boy's requested was that he be given just three steps of land from his kingdom. The king felt humiliated for such a small request, nevertheless granted the boy's request, which he could have from anywhere in his kingdom.

The Lord Maha Vishnu having outwitted the king, and knowing the king would honour his word, began to grow in size like a huge giant and with one step which covered the entire earth.

The next step covered heaven and hell together, the third step he had no place to keep, so the Lord looked at the king. The king now enlightened in the presence of god bowed and venerated him, and showed his head for the next step.

But before he was trampled he requested a boon.

This was to visit his loved subjects, each year on a single day and spend the day with them and enjoy their happiness. The boon was granted, and the people of Kerela for generations believe that the king appears spiritually on this Onam festival day to participate and enjoy with them.

Onam therefore is a day of gratitude to a loved king, who is being remembered by a grateful people for generations.

It is also important to know that this story is incidentally, one of the 10 appearances of the Lord Vishnu among humanity as a saviour. In Hindu mythology (Dasa Avatharam) - 10 avathars (disguises) the Lord's visitations are mentioned.

Thus Onam also has a deep religious significance, whereby the Malayalees visit temples and pay homage to Lord Vishnu on this day.

The celebrations continue almost for a month in the state of Kerela. Thus the Malayalee community in Sri Lanka too, like elsewhere, consider this day significant and celebrate with their children, family kith and kin and friends - a tradition going back to thousands of years.

Onam - instils peace, unity, and prosperity to the entire nation. May the Malayalees of Sri Lanka too enjoy peace, harmony and happiness in their day to day life.

A very Happy Onam to all Malayalees.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager