Kerala New Year Chingam 1 Greetings Wallpaper Quotes Wishes SMS കേരള പുതുവര്‍ഷം ചിങ്ങം ഒന്ന്

Kerala New Year Chingam 1 Greetings Wishes SMS Wallpaper Quotes കേരള പുതുവര്‍ഷം ചിങ്ങം ഒന്ന്

Chingam 1 (Chingam Onnu) is the Keralites New Year Day as per the Kerala calender Kollavarsham. 'Chingam' is my favorite month in the Malayalam calender and so is 'August' in the English calender. Keralites celebrate Onam with the biggest pomp and show. Floral Rangolis ( Pookkalam) are made in courtyards on each of these 10 days.

പുതുവത്സരം സമാഗതമായി. ഒരുപാട് പ്രതീക്ഷകളായി പുതു വര്‍ഷത്തെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാന്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ ഒരുങ്ങുകയായി. നഷ്ടപ്പെടലുകളുടെയും കൂടിച്ചേരലുകളുടെയും പോയ വര്‍ഷം. നാം ഓരോരുത്തര്‍ക്കും നന്മകളും സന്തോഷവും നല്‍കിയ വര്‍ഷം. പലര്‍ക്കും കുടുംബത്തില്‍ പുതു അംഗങ്ങള്‍ പിറന്ന വര്‍ഷം അതുപോലെ നമ്മുടെ ഉറ്റവര്‍ വിട്ടുപിരിഞ്ഞ നിമിഷം.

ലോകത്തുള്ള എല്ലാ മലയാളികള്‍ക്കും ഐശ്വര്യത്തിന്റെയും സമൃദ്ധിയുടെയും ഒരു പുതുവര്‍ഷം ആശംസിക്കുന്നു ലോക ജനതയുടെ നന്മക്കായി പ്രാര്‍ത്ഥിക്കുന്നു .

 വറുതികള്‍ക്ക് വിട ചൊല്ലി ചിങ്ങ പൊന്‍ പുലരി ആഗതമായ്. ഐശ്വര്യവും സമ്പല്‍ സമൃദ്ധിയും നിറഞ്ഞ ഒരു പുതുവര്‍ഷത്തെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാന്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ ഒരുങ്ങി കഴിഞ്ഞു. 
എല്ലാ മലയാളികള്‍ക്കും ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ പുതുവല്‍‌സരാശംസകള്‍ !!

Malayalam Calendar or the Kolla Varsham is the traditional calendar followed in Kerala. Earlier Malayalam calendar dates were followed to determine birthdays and important festivals in Kerala. Even today, many major festivals and important events, ceremonies in temples in Kerala depend on Malayalam calendar and nakshatras (stars).

Malayalam Calendar, Malayalam Era or Kollavarsham or Kollam Era is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, India. The origin of the calendar has been dated as 825 CE. Hindus of Kerala are using Malayalam Calender for there religious, cultural and cultivation activities.  The Malayalam New Year 1189 Chingam 1st is on August 17, Saturday and is the beginning of Chinga Masam. 

As per Malayalam Calender the Kolla Varsham 1189  begins on August 17 2013. The first day of Chingam month is welcomed by people of Kerala with special poojas and prayers.   Hindus in large numbers visit their near by temples and in some part of the Kerala parents were give Kai Neettam to their children.

There are many theories about the origin of the calendar. One is that it was started with the reopening of the natural disaster destroyed city of Kollam on the Malabar coast by Mar Abo, an Assyrian saint who ruled a number of churches in Travancore with Syrian liturgy. Some argue that it was founded by the ruler of Venad Udaya Marttanda Varma (a feudatory with capital at Kollam) or by the Vedic philosopher Adi Shankara on the backdrop of the shivite revival among the vaishnavite Nambuthiri Community who are considered to be the ' Nampthali' lost Tribe of the Jews or simply it is a derivation of the Saptarshi Era.

കൊല്ലവർഷത്തിലെ പ്രഥമ മാസമാണ് ചിങ്ങം.സൂര്യൻ ചിങ്ങം രാശിയിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്ന സമയമാണ് ചിങ്ങമാസം. മലയാളികളുടെ പ്രിയങ്കരമായ ഉത്സവമായ ഓണം ചിങ്ങമാസക്കാലത്താണ്. മാസങ്ങൾക്ക് പേരു കൊടുത്തിരിക്കുന്നത് നക്ഷത്രരാശികൾക്ക് അനുസരിച്ചാണ്.

സിംഹം എന്ന പദം ലോപിച്ചുണ്ടായ ചിങ്ങം സിംഹത്തിന്റെ രൂപത്തിലുള്ള ലിയോ എന്ന നക്ഷത്രഘടനയെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. തമിഴ് മാസങ്ങളായ ആവണി-പൂരട്ടാശി എന്നിവ ചിങ്ങമാസ സമയത്താണ്. ഓഗസ്റ്റ് - സെപ്റ്റംബർ മാസങ്ങളിലായി ആണ് മലയാളമാസമായ ചിങ്ങം വരിക.

പൊന്നോണ മാസം എന്നതിന് ഉപരി ഇപ്പോള്‍ ചിങ്ങം മലയാള ഭാഷാ മാസവും കൂടിയാണ്. ചിങ്ങം ഒന്ന് കര്‍ഷക ദിനം കൂടിയാണ്. മലയാളിയ്ക്ക് അന്യമായിക്കൊണ്ടിരിയ്ക്കുന്ന കൊയ്താണ് ചിങ്ങമാസത്തിലെ പ്രധാന വിശേഷം. പാടത്ത് വിളഞ്ഞ പൊന്‍കതിര്‍ വീട്ടിലെത്തിച്ച് അറകളും പത്തായങ്ങളും നിറയ്ക്കുന്ന സമ്പന്നതയുടെ മാസം.
 

വര്‍ഷം മുഴുവന്‍ സുഖവും സമ്പര്‍ സമൃദ്ധിയും കിട്ടാന്‍ വിശ്വാസികളൊക്കെ ആരാധനാലയങ്ങള്‍ സന്ദര്‍ശിയ്ക്കുന്ന ദിവസമാണ് ചിങ്ങം ഒന്ന്. പ്രത്യേകിച്ചും ഹിന്ദുക്കള്‍. എല്ലാ ഹിന്ദു ദേവാലയങ്ങളിലും പ്രത്യേക പൂജകളും ഉത്സവവും ഈ ദിവസം ഉണ്ടാവും.

ഒരു വർഷത്തിന്റെ അവസാനവും മറ്റൊരു വർഷത്തിന്റെ തുടക്കവുമായി വരുന്ന ദിവസങ്ങളിൽ ചില സംസ്കാരവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടുകിടക്കുന്ന ആഘോഷമാണ്‌ പുതുവത്സരം. പല രാജ്യങ്ങളിലുമായുള്ള വ്യത്യസ്ത കലണ്ടർ സമയങ്ങളിലാണ് പുതുവത്സരം ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. ഒരു പുതുവഝരത്തിൽ നിന്ന് അടുത്ത പുതുവഝരത്തിലേക്ക് മുന്നൂറ്റിയമ്പത്തിയാറേ കാൽ ദിവസം വരും

According to Sun's transit Keralites are celebrating new year day as the first day of the month of Mesha or Medam. This day signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha Raasi. Currently, it occurs around April 15 on the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated as Vishu. 

But now Chingam 1 (around August 15) is celebrated as the new year day. The month Chingam starts in the mid August corressponds to harvest and Onam festival is celebrated in this month. The last month of Malayam Calendar Karkkidakam corresponds the month when the South west monsoon is active. This month is also considered to be bad time as in olden days rains used to bring diseases and damages to lives and property.  

Karkkidakam is generally known as the Panja Masam, the month of famine, because of the lack of work during the peak of monsoon. Scripture from Ramayana will be recited till the end of the month and people will abstain from entering into any new ventures or holding auspicious functions during this month. Hence it is also called Ramayanamasam. 

The agricultural activities of Kerala are centred around the seasons. The Southwest monsoon which starts around June 1 is known as Edavappathi, meaning mid- Edavam. The North east monsoon which starts during mid October is called thulavarsham (rain in the month of thulam).

The two harvests of paddy are called Kannikkoythu and Makarakkoythu (harvest in the month kanni and makaram) respectively. The Makaravilakku festival is celebrated in the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on the 1st day of month Makaram. 

കേരളത്തിന്റേതു മാത്രമായ കാലഗണനാരീതിയാണ്‌ കൊല്ലവർഷം, അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ കൊല്ലവർഷം മലയാള വർഷം എന്നും അറിയപ്പെടുന്നു. എ.ഡി. 825-ൽ ആണ്‌ കൊല്ലവർഷത്തിന്റെ തുടക്കം. ഭാരതത്തിലെ മറ്റു പഞ്ചാംഗങ്ങൾ സൗരവർഷത്തെയും ചാന്ദ്രമാസത്തെയും അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി കാലനിർണ്ണയം ചെയ്തപ്പോൾ, കൊല്ലവർഷപ്പഞ്ചാംഗം സൗരവർഷത്തെയും സൗരമാസത്തെയും ഉപയോഗിച്ചു. വേണാട്ടിലെ രാജാവായിരുന്ന ഉദയ മാർ‌ത്താണ്ഡ വർമ്മയാണ് കൊല്ലവർഷം തുടങ്ങിയതെന്ന് വിശ്വസിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. ചിങ്ങം, കന്നി തുടങ്ങി 12 മലയാള മാസങ്ങളാണ്‌ ഉള്ളത്‌.

മലയാള മാസം (Month)

The Malayalam months are named after the Signs of the Zodiac. Thus Cingam (from Simham or Lion) is named after the constellation Leo and so on. The following are the months of the astronomical Malayalam calendar:

Comparative table showing corresponding months of other calendars

Months in Malayalam Era	In Malayalam	Gregorian Calendar	Tamil calendar	Saka era	Sign of Zodiac
Chingam	ചിങ്ങം	August–September	Aavani	Sravan–Bhadrapada	Leo
Kanni	കന്നി	September–October	Purattasi	Bhadrapada–Asvina	Virgo
Tulam	തുലാം	October–November	Aippasi	Asvina–Kartika	Libra
Vrscikam	വൃശ്ചികം	November–December	Karthigai	Kartika–Agrahayana	Scorpio
Dhanu	ധനു	December–January	Margazhi	Agrahayana–Pausa	Sagittarius
Makaram	മകരം	January–February	Thai	Pausa–Magha	Capricon
Kumbham	കുംഭം	February–March	Maasi	Magha–Phalguna	Aquarius
Minam	മീനം	March–April	Panguni	Phalguna–Chaitra	Pisces
Medam	മേടം	April–May	Chithirai	Chaitra– Vaisakha	Aries
Edavam (Idavam)	ഇടവം	May–June	Vaikasi	Vaisakha–Jyaistha	Taurus
Mithunam	മിഥുനം	June–July	Aani	Jyaistha–Asada	Gemini
Karkadakam	കര്‍ക്കടകം	July–August	Aadi	Asada–Sravana	Cancer

Malayalam Calender came to be called 'Kolla Varsham' after the town of Kollam(Quilon) which was the capital the Kingdom of Venad. The city, also a major coastal town, a significant industrial and commercial trading center. Kollam has been described in history as one of the finest Cities in Malabar.  

കൊല്ലവർഷത്തിലെ പ്രഥമ മാസമാണ് ചിങ്ങം.സൂര്യൻ ചിങ്ങം രാശിയിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്ന സമയമാണ് ചിങ്ങമാസം. മലയാളികളുടെ പ്രിയങ്കരമായ ഉത്സവമായ ഓണം ചിങ്ങമാസക്കാലത്താണ്. മാസങ്ങൾക്ക് പേരു കൊടുത്തിരിക്കുന്നത് നക്ഷത്രരാശികൾക്ക് അനുസരിച്ചാണ്. സിംഹം എന്ന പദം ലോപിച്ചുണ്ടായ ചിങ്ങം സിംഹത്തിന്റെ രൂപത്തിലുള്ള ലിയോ എന്ന നക്ഷത്രഘടനയെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു.

Azhca ആഴ്ച - Week

 The days of the week in the Malayalam calendar are suffixed with Azhca (ആഴ്ച - week).

Comparative table showing corresponding weekdays

Malayalam	മലയാളം	English	Kannada	Tamil	Hindi
Njayar	ഞായര്‍	Sunday	Bhanuvara	Nyaayiru	Ravivar
Thinkal	തിങ്കള്‍	Monday	Somavara	Thinkal	Somvar
Chowva	ചൊവ്വ	Tuesday	Mangalavara	Chevvai	Mangalvar
Budhan	ബുധന്‍	Wednesday	Budhavara	Budhan	Budhvar
Vyazham	വ്യാഴം	Thursday	Guruvara	Vyazhan	Guruvar
Velli	വെള്ളി	Friday	Shukravara	Velli	Sukravar
Shani	ശനി	Saturday	Shanivara	Sani	Shanivar

Like the months above, there are twenty seven stars starting from Aswati (Ashvinī in Sanskrit) and ending in Revatī. The 365 days of the year are divided into groups of fourteen days called Nhattuvela, each one bearing the name of a star.

നക്ഷത്രം Nakshathra - 27 Stars

According to Indian Astrology there are 27 Nakshatras or stars in the zodiac belt. The ecliptic is divided into 27 nakshatras, which are variously called lunar houses or asterisms. The zodiac comprises of 360 degrees. Therefore, the value of each constellation is 13 degrees and 20 minutes when measured from the fixed initial point. These 27 Nakshatras(stars) complete the entire circle of 360 degrees of the zodiac. These reflect the moon's cycle against the fixed stars, 27 days ,7 hours and 45 minutes. Nakshatra computation appears to have been well known at the time of the Rig Veda.

The starting point for this division is the point on the ecliptic directly opposite to the star Spica called Chithra in Sanskrit. (Other slightly-different definitions exist.) It is called Meshaadi or the "start of Aries". The ecliptic is divided into the nakshatras eastwards starting from this point. Note that nakshatra-s are (in this context) not just single stars but are segments on the ecliptic characterised by one or more stars. Hence you will find many stars mentioned for one nakshatra. An additional 28th intercalary nakshatra, Abhijit (alpha, epsilon and zeta Lyrae - Vega - between Uttarasharha and Sravana), is in between Uttarashada and Sravana. Last two (third and fourth) Padas of Uttrashada and first two (first and second) Padas of Sravana are considered to be Abhijith. The nakshatra in which the moon lies at the time of sunrise of a day is the nakshatra for the day.

Comparative table showing corresponding names of 27 Nakshatras in the zodiac belt

Malayalam	Sanskrit	Tamil	Name of Constellation	Meaning of the name
Ashwathi	Ashwini	Ashwathi	Beta Arietis	Horseman
Bharani	Bharani	Bharani	41 Arietis	The Bearer
Karthika	Krittika	Karthigai	Eta Tauri	Perspiring
Rohini	Rohini	Rohini	Alpha Tauri	The Red One
Makayiram	Mrigashira	Mrigasheersham	Lamda Orionis	Deer's Head
Thiruvathira	Ardra	Thiruvaathirai	Alpha Orionis	Moist
Punartham	Punarvasu	Punarpoosam	Beta Geminorum	Good Again
Pooyam	Pushya	Poosam	Delta Cancri	Nourishing
Aayilyam	Ashlesha	Aayilyam	Alpha Cancri	The entwiner
Makam	Magha	Makam	Alpha Leonis	The Mighty One
Pooram	Poorvaphalguni	Pooram	Delta Leonis	The Fig Tree
Uthram	Uttaraphalguni	Uthiram	Beta Leonis	The latter red one
Atham	Hastha	Hastham	Delta Corvi	Hand
Chithira	Chithra	Chithirai	Alpha Virginis	Brilliant
Chothi	Swathi	Swathi	Alpha Bootis	The lead goat in a herd
Vishakham	Vishakha	Visaakham	Beta Librae	Forked Branch
Anizham	Anuradha	Anusham	Delta Scorpi	Success
Thrikketta	Jyeshtha	Kettai	Alpha Scorpi	Eldest
Moolam	Moola	Moolam	Lamda Scorpi	The Root
Pooradam	Poorva ashadha	Pooraadam	Delta Sagittari	The Former Unsubdued
Uthradam	Uttarashadha	Uthiraadam	Delta Sagittari	The Latter Unsubdued
Thiruvonam	Shravana	Thiruvonam	Alpha Aquilae	Ear of Hearing
Avittam	Dhanistha	Avittam	Alpha Delphini	Wealth
Chathayam	Shatabhishaj	Chathayam	Lamda Aquari	100 Physicians
Poororuttathy	Poorva bhadrapada	Poorattathi	Alpha Pegasi	Former Beautiful Foot
Uthruttathy	Uttara bhadrapada	Uthirattathi	Alpha Andromeda	Latter Beautiful Foot
Revathy	Revathy	Revathy	Zeta Piscium	Wealthy

തിഥി - Tithi

The (anticlockwise) angular distance between the sun and moon as measured from the earth along the ecliptic (circle on the sky in which the sun, moon and planets seem to move) can vary between 0 and 360 degrees. This is divided into 30 parts. The time spent by the moon in each of these parts is called one tithi. The month has two pakshas or fortnights.

The first 15 tithis constitute the bright fortnight or shukla paksha - the waxing phase and the next 15 tithi-s constitute the dark fortnight or krishna paksha - the waning phase. Tithi-s are indicated by their paksha and ordinal number within the paksha. In a given lunar month, there are essentially 30 tithis. The 15th tithi of the bright fortnight (full moon) is called Paurnami or Poornima and the 15th tithi of the dark fortnight (new moon) is called Amavasi. The tithi in which the moon is at the time of sunrise of a day is taken to be the tithi for the day.

30 Tithies and 2 Pakshams

Tithi	Paksham
Amavasi(new moon day)	Krishna
Prathipadam(Pradhama)	Krishna
Dwitheeya	Krishna
Trutheeya	Krishna
Chathurthi	Krishna
Panchami	Krishna
Shashti	Krishna
Sapthami	Krishna
Ashtami	Krishna
Navami	Krishna
Dasami	Krishna
Ekadasi	Krishna
Dwadasi	Krishna
Tryodasi	Krishna
Chaturdasi	Krishna
Pournami(full moon day)	Shukla
Prathipadam(Pradhama)	Shukla
Dwitheeya	Shukla
Trutheeya	Shukla
Chathurthi	Shukla
Panchami	Shukla
Shashti	Shukla
Sapthami	Shukla
Ashtami	Shukla
Navami	Shukla
Dasami	Shukla
Ekadasi	Shukla
Dwadasi	Shukla
Tryodasi	Shukla
Chaturdasi	Shukla

ഞാറ്റുവേല - Njattuvela

The 365 days of the year are divided into groups of fourteen days called Njattuvela, each one bearing the name of a star. Thus there are 27 Njattuvelas from Aswathy Njattuvela to Revathy Njattuvela. Njattuvela means Njayarinte Nila or position of sun. The first Njattuvela is Aswathy Njattuvela and it begins on Medam 1 or Vishu day(April 14 or 15). In Thiruvathira Njattuvela rain will come down without a break.

The festivals Antupirapp (ആണ്ടുപിറപ്പ് - new year, more commonly called Antupiravi, ആണ്ടുപിറവി or puthuvarsham, പുതുവര്‍ഷം, celebrated on the 1st of Medam, Vishu വിഷു - astronomical new year, and Onam ഓണം, celebrated on the star [tiruʋoːɳəm] in the month of Chingam, are two of the major festivals, the greatest of them being Onam ഓണം.

The Makaravilakku festival is celebrated in the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on the 1st day of month Makaram. This marks the grand finale of the two-month period to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The 1st of Makaram marks the Winter Solstice (Uttarayanan) and the 1st of Karkadakam marks the Summer Solstice (Dakshinayanam) according to the Malayalam calendar. (According to the astronomical calendar the Summer solstice is on June 21, and the Winter solstice on December 21.)

Formerly the New Year in the Malabar region was on the 1st of Kanni and that in the Travancore region was on the 1st of Chingam. When the Government of Kerala adopted Kolla Varsham as the Regional Calendar the 1st of Chingam was accepted as the Malayalam New Year. Medom is the first month according to the astronomical calendar; it is identical with Chaitram of the Saka Varsha. The first of these months are supposed to mark the Vernal Equinox. Astronomically the calendars need to be corrected to coincide with actual Vernal Equinox which falls on the 21st of March. (Chaitram 1 usually falls on March 20, and Medom 1 falls on April 14.)

Rathinirvedam Malalayalm Movie Swetha Hot Scene

Rathinirvedam,രതിനിര്‍വേദം, is a 2011 Malayalam film directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar and starring Shweta Menon and Sreejith. The film is a remake of the 1978 film with the same name directed by Bharathan and written by P. Padmarajan based on his own 1970 novel of the same name. The film is produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner of Revathy Kalamandhir. The film stars Shweta Menon in the role of Rathi, and Sreejith in the role of Pappu. The shooting of the film was done in the Onnattukara area of Kayamkulam and Mavelikkara, where the story is primarily set.

Brief Story of Rathinirvedam 2011

Pappu (Sreejith Vijay) stays in his mother's house after completing high school, awaiting results. During his stay, he falls in love with Rathi (Shweta Menon), a woman elder to him. The boy is very deeply in love with Rathi and shows his love in different ways. He keeps visiting the snake temple to see Rathi. There are many scenes in which Pappu expresses his love. Rathi initially thinks of Pappu as her younger brother but after some time she realizes his love. After some problems, the two families know about the love issue. They forbid them to see each other. Before climax rathi meets pappu in the sarppakavu (snake temple) In rain, Pappu seduces Rathi shweta Menon); Rathi does not agree at first, but as pappu keeps advancing she can no longer stop herself and succumbs to her pleasure. However, after having sex with pappu, Rathi is bit by a snake. Pappu offers to take her home, but she refuses saying that people would find out that they were alone in the temple. She goes home and starts crying loudly. Pappu watches all this helplessly. Rathi's mother, hearing her scream comes into the room and asks her why she was crying. Rathi tells her that a snake has bitten her. The whole family carries Rathi to the hospital. Pappu watches all this secretly. Next day, Pappu is ready to go to his college. His relative takes him to the bus stop. There Pappu sees Rathi's family carrying her dead body. Pappu is smitten by grief when he sees this. He is shoved into a bus by his uncle. The film ends with Pappu crying as Rathi's body passes near the window of the bus.

Onam Greetings Onam Wallpapers Onam Wishes Onam SMS Onam Messages ഓണം ഓണാഘോഷം

 Onam Greetings Onam Wallpapers Onam Wishes Onam SMS Onam Messages

Onam, ഓണം, is a festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It is the state festival of Kerala and falls during the month of Chingam, August – September, and lasts for ten days. The festival is marked by various festivities, including intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunches, snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula in Guruvayoor, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali etc.

Onam Legend

Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada, son of Hiranyakashyapa who was slain by Vishnu in his Narasimha Avatara. Prahlad, despite being an Asura, had great faith in Vishnu. Mahabali learned the act of love and devotion to Lord Vishnu as a child, from Prahlada. 

By traditional beliefs; Parasurama, an incarnation of Vishnu is credited to have founded Kerala. An alternate legend defines Onam as the day on which Parasurama recovered Kerala from the sea-bed by throwing his battle-axe. The axe traveled from Gokarnam in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. This legend is mentioned by Hermann Gundert in his Malayalam Dictionary.

Onam Legacy

Onam comes in the month of "Chingam" which is the first month according to the Malayalam Calendar. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome King Mahabali. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating this ten days with pomp and gaiety. They wear new dresses, visit as many temples as they can, perform dances like Thiruvadhira kali Thumbi Tullal etc. to name a few.

Onam Programmes

The most important things about Onam are the onakkodi, the new clothes worn on this day and onam sadya, a feast which is quite elaborate. This is usually a feast served on banana leaves and serves rice along with at least an array of 4 dishes. Traditional pickles and papadam are also served. Dessert is usually 'payasam', a sweet dish made of milk, sugar and other traditional Indian savories.

Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the Malayalam month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala, the underworld. Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory and is celebrated by people irrespective of religion.

According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the reign of King Mahabali. The Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam explains that Lord Vishnu wanted to curb the pride of Indra; and therefore positioned Mahabali in great power.

The Bhagavata Purana reads "Vishnu will take the kingdom away from Purandara, Lord Indra, and give it to Bali Maharaja."

The subjects under Mahabli's reign was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded, so much so that even the gods under Indra became jealous of Mahabali as was intened by Vishnu, and they approached Vishnu claiming that Mahabali is now equivalent to an Indra. Once Vishnu was assured that Indra's pride has been contained and that a world with two Indras represents imbalance, Vishnu assumed the form of a dwarf: Vamana. Vamana requested three steps of land for him to live in. Given a promise of three steps of land by King Mahabali against the warning given by his Guru Sukracharya, Vamana, enlarged himself to such dimensions as to stride over the three worlds. He had grown so huge that he could step from heaven to earth, and earth to the lower worlds in two simple steps. King Mahabali unable to fulfill the promise of three paces of land to the Supreme God, offers his head for the third step. Thus, Vamana places his foot on King Mahabali's head and sends him down to the netherworld. Being worshipped however, by Mahabali, and his ancestor Prahláda, he conceded to them the sovereignty of Pátála, netherworld.

However, as Mahabali was equivalent to Indra, he had to wait until the next Yuga where he would be the Indra. In the meantime, with the grace of Vishnu, Mahabali visited his people on an annual basis. Vishnu served Mahabali as a gatekeeper in Patala as the Lord himself serves his greatest devotees.

It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.

The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten-day festival. The central feature of Onam is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine-course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.

Another popular feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the Pamba River, in which decorative boats oared by hundreds of boatmen race amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators and viewers.

There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali, played with a ball, Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala. The following song is often sung over Onam: “ Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam, manusharellarum onnupole amodhathode vasikkum kalam apathangarkkumottillathanum kallavum illa chathiyumilla ellolamilla polivachanam kallapparayum cherunazhiyum kallatharangal mattonnumilla adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla balamaranangal kelppanilla"

 

(Translation) “When Maveli ruled the land, All the people were equal. And people were joyful and merry; They were all free from harm. There was neither anxiety nor sickness, Deaths of children were unheard of, There were no lies, There was neither theft nor deceit, And no one was false in speech either. Measures and weights were right; No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless races”