29 August 2012 : Thiru Onam
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Expensive Onam for State,as prices of essentials soar
It is going to be an expensive Onam in Kerala this year with prices of several essential commodities soaring. Kerala, being predominantly a consumer state, has been hit hard by the surge in the prices of commodities coming from outside the state.
The prices of some of the pulses, sugar, jaggery, bananas are all going through the roof much to the unhappiness of the consumers. Most of the essential commodities are being imported to Kerala to meet the state’s demand. The only consolation this year is that the price of rice has increased only by a small margin and the coconut oil price is also under control. Q
Rice prices have increased by over 15 % to reach Rs 18 to 21 per kg. Kerala’s rice production is limited to Palakkad and Kuttanad regions while most of the quantity is coming from states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. “There is a short supply of tur dal and as a result the prices have increased sharply to Rs 90 to 95 per kg compared with Rs 55 per kg a year ago,” says Saju, a wholesale trader in Kochi. Other pulses like green gram, black gram, red chilli etc have also become dear.
The banana chips and Onam delicacy ‘payasam’ will be costly this year. The reason is that both sugar and jaggery prices have shot up because of shortage of sugarcane. Both the commodities are being sold in the range of Rs 30 to 32 per kg, at least Rs 10 more than the level last year.
The prices of bananas, which is an important item for Onam, have started going up days before Onam. Heavy rain had wreaked damage in banana crops in the state grown mainly in Wayanad and Idukki districts. This has led to dwindling supply of the commodity.
The banana prices have reached Rs 28 to Rs 30 per kg. By Onam this would increase further unless the crop from Tamil Nadu arrives. Last year during Onam the banana prices stood at Rs 25 per kg. This has pushed up the banana chip prices by Rs 20 to Rs 160 per kg. This is despite the lower price of coconut oil for preparing the chips.
Onam bazaars started by Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and Consumerfed could provide relief to the consumers as they offer essential commodities at cheaper prices.
The prices of some of the pulses, sugar, jaggery, bananas are all going through the roof much to the unhappiness of the consumers. Most of the essential commodities are being imported to Kerala to meet the state’s demand. The only consolation this year is that the price of rice has increased only by a small margin and the coconut oil price is also under control. Q
Rice prices have increased by over 15 % to reach Rs 18 to 21 per kg. Kerala’s rice production is limited to Palakkad and Kuttanad regions while most of the quantity is coming from states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. “There is a short supply of tur dal and as a result the prices have increased sharply to Rs 90 to 95 per kg compared with Rs 55 per kg a year ago,” says Saju, a wholesale trader in Kochi. Other pulses like green gram, black gram, red chilli etc have also become dear.
The banana chips and Onam delicacy ‘payasam’ will be costly this year. The reason is that both sugar and jaggery prices have shot up because of shortage of sugarcane. Both the commodities are being sold in the range of Rs 30 to 32 per kg, at least Rs 10 more than the level last year.
The prices of bananas, which is an important item for Onam, have started going up days before Onam. Heavy rain had wreaked damage in banana crops in the state grown mainly in Wayanad and Idukki districts. This has led to dwindling supply of the commodity.
The banana prices have reached Rs 28 to Rs 30 per kg. By Onam this would increase further unless the crop from Tamil Nadu arrives. Last year during Onam the banana prices stood at Rs 25 per kg. This has pushed up the banana chip prices by Rs 20 to Rs 160 per kg. This is despite the lower price of coconut oil for preparing the chips.
Onam bazaars started by Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and Consumerfed could provide relief to the consumers as they offer essential commodities at cheaper prices.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Packaging a people’s Onam
The official Onam celebrations in the district “Poopoli-2009,” organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council will be conducted from September 1 to 4 with special emphasis on enhancing public participation through competitions that families can take part in.
A “Maveli Road Show” which will feature Maveli visiting houses in the city and judging pookalams on courtyards and a competition to identify the most beautifully illuminated public and private buildings will be conducted to encourage people to come out of their homes on Onam days.
The programmes will be staged at six locations in the city and seven locations outside city limits. The brochure detailing the itinerary of the Onam celebrations was released by lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri at the Calicut Press Club. The meeting was presided by District Collector P.B. Salim. A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, and chairpersons of the Standing Committees formed to oversee the conduct of the celebrations also participated.
The Collector said that a conscious effort was being made this year to bring talented folk artistes languishing on the margins to centre stage.
Artists from the rural parts of the State, hitherto not familiar to urban audience, will perform at the event. This also includes a band of street singers. A sum of Rs. 25 lakh has been allocated by the State government for the four-day event.
Mananchira Square will be the main stage for the celebrations and will host martial art events. Folk arts will be conducted at the Model Higher Secondary School. The Town Hall will host a literary festival and plays while the venue for classical dance and music events will be Jaya Auditorium. A ‘pookalam’ competition will be held at the Indoor Stadium.
A novelty in this year’s festivities is the introduction of water sports like canoeing and kayaking at Cheruppa. Sarovaram Bio Park is a new venue for the Onam festivities and will host cultural programmes by local talents.
The district’s prominent tourist attractions like Thusharagiri, Kappad, Iringal, Peruvannamuzhi, Kadalundi and Payamkuttimala will also host programmes to induce more visitors to these places.
A “Maveli Road Show” which will feature Maveli visiting houses in the city and judging pookalams on courtyards and a competition to identify the most beautifully illuminated public and private buildings will be conducted to encourage people to come out of their homes on Onam days.
The programmes will be staged at six locations in the city and seven locations outside city limits. The brochure detailing the itinerary of the Onam celebrations was released by lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri at the Calicut Press Club. The meeting was presided by District Collector P.B. Salim. A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, and chairpersons of the Standing Committees formed to oversee the conduct of the celebrations also participated.
The Collector said that a conscious effort was being made this year to bring talented folk artistes languishing on the margins to centre stage.
Artists from the rural parts of the State, hitherto not familiar to urban audience, will perform at the event. This also includes a band of street singers. A sum of Rs. 25 lakh has been allocated by the State government for the four-day event.
Mananchira Square will be the main stage for the celebrations and will host martial art events. Folk arts will be conducted at the Model Higher Secondary School. The Town Hall will host a literary festival and plays while the venue for classical dance and music events will be Jaya Auditorium. A ‘pookalam’ competition will be held at the Indoor Stadium.
A novelty in this year’s festivities is the introduction of water sports like canoeing and kayaking at Cheruppa. Sarovaram Bio Park is a new venue for the Onam festivities and will host cultural programmes by local talents.
The district’s prominent tourist attractions like Thusharagiri, Kappad, Iringal, Peruvannamuzhi, Kadalundi and Payamkuttimala will also host programmes to induce more visitors to these places.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thrissur Pooram 2009 Latest Photos
Thrissur Pooram 2009 Latest Photos
Thrissur Pooram 2009 Latest Photos
Thrissur Pooram 2009 Latest Photos
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thrissur Pooram The most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala, India
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.....
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.....
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.
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