Thrissur Pooram, The most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala, India. is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May) every year
Spectacular pageant of fully ornamented elephants, resonanting percussions of Panchavadyam and Pandimelom and astounding Fireworks give you innumerable moments to cherish. The splendour of this magnum feast can never be forgotten. Come down to Thrissur and enjoy this cultural fiesta. Snap up the fabulous Divine Durbar and the fascinating "changing of parasols" Kudamattom or join the rasping crowds to cheer-on the Panchavadyam (drum concert troops) or count the stars that are contrived when the fireworks floweret in the night sky.more.....
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
King Mahabali and Vamanan
King Mahabali & Onam
The legend of King Mahabali is the most popular and the most fascinating of all legends behind Onam.Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali to the state of Kerala every year. The festival is celebrated with fervour as King Mahabali is greatly respected by his subjects.King Mahabali is also popularly called Maveli or Onathappan.
Story of King Mahabali
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an Asura (demon) king,Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious, benevolent and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali.Everybody was happy in the kingdom, there was no discrimination on the basis of caste or class.Rich and poor were equally treated. There was neither crime nor corruption.People did not even lock their doors, as there were no thieves in that kingdom.There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content.
Brief Sketch of King Mahabali
It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad,the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap.Mahabali had a son called Bana, who became a legendary king in his own right and became popular as Banraj in central Assam.Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu.His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings.
Challenge for GodsHe extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, Looking at the growing popularity and fame of King Mahabali Gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. They felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to curtail Mahabali's powers. To curb the growing reign of Mahabali and maintain their own supremacy,Aditi, the mother of Gods seeked help of Lord Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) whom Mahabali worshiped.
Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted.To test the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin called Vamanan.He came to the Kingdom of Mahabali, just after Mahabali performing a Morning Poojasand was preparing to grant boons to Brahmins. Pleased with the vamanan’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. Vamanan said he was a poor Brahmin and asked for a piece of land.The generous King said, he could have as much land as he wanted.The Brahmin said that he just wanted as much land as could be covered by his three steps.The King was surprised to hear but agreed.
Adviser of the King, Shukracharya(Guru of Asuras) sensed that Vamanan was not an ordinary person and warned the King against making the gift. But, the generous King replied that it would be a sin for a King to back on his words and asked the Brahmin to take the land.The King could not imagine that the vamanan was Lord Vishnu himself.
Just as King Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamanan began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions.With his first step the Vamanan covered the whole of earth and with the other stephe covered the whole of the skies.He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot.
Mahabali realised that he was no ordinary Brahmin and his third step will destroy the earth.Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamanan and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise.The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to pathala (the nether world). There the King requested the Brahmin to reveal his true identity.Lord Vishnu then appeared before the King.The Lord told the King that he came to test him and the King won the test.King Mahabali was pleased to see his lord. Lord Vishnu also granted a boon to the King.
King Mahabali Requests for a Visit to Kerala.The King was so much attached with his Kingdom and people,that he requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year on Thiruvonam Day(the birth day of Mahabali).Lord Vishnu was moved by the Kings nobility and was pleased to grant the wish. He also blessed the King and said even after losing all his worldly possessions, the King would always be loved by Lord Vishnu and his people.
Genesis of Onam
It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali.Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King whom they affectionately call Maveli or Onathappan.They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well.Thiruvonam(the birth day of Mahabali) is the biggest and the most important day of this festival. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the Thiruvonam day.
Onam celebrations are marked in Thrikkakara, a place 10 km from Kochi (Cochin) on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road. Trikkara is said to be the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Thrikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place.Nowhere else in Kerala can one find a deity of 'Vamanamurthy'.This fascinating legend is artistically depicted at the Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
The legend of King Mahabali is the most popular and the most fascinating of all legends behind Onam.Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali to the state of Kerala every year. The festival is celebrated with fervour as King Mahabali is greatly respected by his subjects.King Mahabali is also popularly called Maveli or Onathappan.
Story of King Mahabali
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an Asura (demon) king,Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious, benevolent and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali.Everybody was happy in the kingdom, there was no discrimination on the basis of caste or class.Rich and poor were equally treated. There was neither crime nor corruption.People did not even lock their doors, as there were no thieves in that kingdom.There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content.
Brief Sketch of King Mahabali
It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad,the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap.Mahabali had a son called Bana, who became a legendary king in his own right and became popular as Banraj in central Assam.Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu.His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings.
Challenge for GodsHe extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, Looking at the growing popularity and fame of King Mahabali Gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. They felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to curtail Mahabali's powers. To curb the growing reign of Mahabali and maintain their own supremacy,Aditi, the mother of Gods seeked help of Lord Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) whom Mahabali worshiped.
Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted.To test the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin called Vamanan.He came to the Kingdom of Mahabali, just after Mahabali performing a Morning Poojasand was preparing to grant boons to Brahmins. Pleased with the vamanan’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. Vamanan said he was a poor Brahmin and asked for a piece of land.The generous King said, he could have as much land as he wanted.The Brahmin said that he just wanted as much land as could be covered by his three steps.The King was surprised to hear but agreed.
Adviser of the King, Shukracharya(Guru of Asuras) sensed that Vamanan was not an ordinary person and warned the King against making the gift. But, the generous King replied that it would be a sin for a King to back on his words and asked the Brahmin to take the land.The King could not imagine that the vamanan was Lord Vishnu himself.
Just as King Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamanan began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions.With his first step the Vamanan covered the whole of earth and with the other stephe covered the whole of the skies.He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot.
Mahabali realised that he was no ordinary Brahmin and his third step will destroy the earth.Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamanan and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise.The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to pathala (the nether world). There the King requested the Brahmin to reveal his true identity.Lord Vishnu then appeared before the King.The Lord told the King that he came to test him and the King won the test.King Mahabali was pleased to see his lord. Lord Vishnu also granted a boon to the King.
King Mahabali Requests for a Visit to Kerala.The King was so much attached with his Kingdom and people,that he requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year on Thiruvonam Day(the birth day of Mahabali).Lord Vishnu was moved by the Kings nobility and was pleased to grant the wish. He also blessed the King and said even after losing all his worldly possessions, the King would always be loved by Lord Vishnu and his people.
Genesis of Onam
It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali.Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King whom they affectionately call Maveli or Onathappan.They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well.Thiruvonam(the birth day of Mahabali) is the biggest and the most important day of this festival. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the Thiruvonam day.
Onam celebrations are marked in Thrikkakara, a place 10 km from Kochi (Cochin) on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road. Trikkara is said to be the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Thrikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place.Nowhere else in Kerala can one find a deity of 'Vamanamurthy'.This fascinating legend is artistically depicted at the Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
Onam Kerala Festivel
Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival comes in the month of "Chingam" according to Malayalam calender(Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. This year it falls on 12 September 2008.Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition.Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.
Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the keralites celebrate unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters;the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Colourful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred rive Pamba.
After three months of heavy rains, the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green.The brooks and streams come alive, spitting forth-gentle white foam, the lakes and rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom.It is time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice. The harvest festival of Onam corresponds with the Malayalam New Year, Chingam. Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are centered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food.
Onam is a celebration of ten days. People put Pookkalm(Rangoli or flower mats) in front of their houses, to welcome the King(Onathappan), with dedication and full sincerity.Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'pookkalam'(rangoli) with flowers in front of their homes.There will be competition for the laying of Pookkalam(rangoli); Keralites all over the world will be celebrating these ten days will pomp and gaiety. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, they will be performing lot of dances like Onjallattam, Thiruvathira kali Thumbi Tullal etc.
There is a lot more to Onam than being just a festival.Onam reflects the faith of the people of Kerala; A belief in their legendary past, religion and power of worship. It shows the high spirit of the people who go out of the way to celebrate the festivalin the prescribed manner and a grand fashion.
Welcoming a Very Special VisitorOnam awaits one very special visitor, Kerala's most loved legendary King Maveli. He is the King who once gave the people a golden era in Kerala.The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily.It is in honour of King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan, that Onam is celebrated.
Pookkalam (Flower carpets) are laid in the front courtyards with dedication and full sincerity.A grand meal is prepared on the day of ThiruOnam.It is on this day that Maveli's spirit visits Kerala. The most important thing is the grant lunch they will be having on the Thiuruvonam day.Lip smacking meal consists of best of Kerala cuisine including avial, sambhar, rasam, upery,papadam, pazham and the payasam(Ada pradvan , Palada).
Onam Recipes
AvialBanana, HalwaCoconut, Chutney, Idli, chakkavaratti, Uppery, kalan, Istu, Dosas, Tomato Rasam, Palada, Pradhaman
Cultural Extravaganza One of the most marvelous facets of Onam is the unfolding of its rich and well-established culture. We see not just glimpses but a whole gamut of it in the ten-day-long carnival.Pulikali, Kaikottikali, Kummattikalli, Kathakali, Thumbi Thullal, Onjallattam besides several other folk arts and traditions can be seen on one platform called Onam.
The beauty of the festival lies in it's secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy.Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organised on the day.
Onam Dances Watch out the best of Kerala dances during the carnival of Onam. Kummattikali, Pulikali / Kaduvakali, Kathakali, Thumbi Thullal, Kaikotti kali
Onam Games exhibits bravado of the machos in Kerala in a terrific manner.
Vallamkali, Pookkalm, Onjallattam, Onakalikal, Thalappanthukali, Vadamvali, Kayyankali ,Attakalam, Ambeyyal
Onam is the passion of the people of Kerala. And, pride of India!
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