onam, mahabali & vamana(vishnu)

[Guest guest]

I know many of you may not be able to feel onam as you are totally new to it .

Have a look at the following to get a feel of it . Few may be even new to kerala

too..

 

In kerala the main celebrations are Onam (aug/sep) , Vishu ( April ), Christmas,

local temple & church festivals (Jan to may )

 

kerala : <http://images.google.com/images?q=kerala&ie=UTF-8&hl=en>

http://images.google.com/images?q=kerala&ie=UTF-8&hl=en

 

onam :

<http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=onam>

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=onam

 

pookkalam (using flowers, couloured salt flour )

 

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100

<http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pookkal\

am> &hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pookkalam

 

pulikkali ( puli means tiger and kali means play)

 

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100

<http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pulikka\

li> &hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pulikkali

 

kummattikkali

 

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100

<http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pulikka\

li> &hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=pulikkali

 

 

vallam kali ( waooo ...!!!! boat race )

 

http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100

<http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=vallamkali&\

spell=1> &hl=en&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=vallamkali&spell=1

 

Somebody in the Mata-Amritandamayi group asked about onam and ajoy forwarded a

beautiful description about story of vaman & mahabali ..

 

there are a lot to interpret from different stories .

 

from onam story:

-----------------------

Vishu the divine atlast demanded "mahabali's head" , even though he was very

pleasing to the people around him. So one of the message is drop the head, drop

the ego .. empty the brain .. fill the heart ..

 

<<

 

Ajoy P.B [ajoypb]

Monday, August 30, 2004 4:23 PM

amma

[Mata-Amritandamayi] what is onam

 

 

Festivals & Legends: OnamThe Story Behind Onam

 

 

A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was

a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his

fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule

to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear

his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the

mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali

while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf

brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor,

Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker

was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that

God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater

sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

 

The Vamana asked for a simple gift - three paces of land - and the king agreed

to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the

first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second,

straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the

earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

 

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing

him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his

kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is

the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a

grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who

gave his all for his subjects.

 

Another Legend

Another legend has it that King Mahabali was a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu.

He was sincere, honest, just and a good ruler. But he had one weakness - ego.

And to eradicate his pride and redeem his beloved devotee of this one sin,

Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin named Vamana.

 

The king in his pride asked the Brahmin what he wanted for he could give

anything. Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed. To humble

him Vishnu, as Vamana showed Mahabali that he is just a puny creature in front

of God's universal stature.

 

Mahabali, who was a man of principles, realized God's purpose and "offered his

head" for Vamana's footstep, as he was sent to another world. This fatal step

proved a blessing in disguise for the good king - the foot salvaged and released

him from the recurrent cycle of birth and death. That is why Onam is celebrated

by wearing new clothes and resolving to lead a new life of truth, piety, love,

and humility.

 

with love

 

ajoy

 

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