Parthi Update: 10th Sept. Onam Celebrations begin at Parthi

[Guest guest]

10th Sept. Onam Celebrations begin at Parthi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today marked the beginning of the three day festival of Onam. Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala and it falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) marking the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best in Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam(design with flowers), ambrosial Onasadya(the traditional feast), breathtaking Chundanvellams(Snake Boats) racing through placid waters and the exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala. Most importantly, wherever the Malayali people are located, they return home for the festival. And it is this homecoming that sees thousands of devotees from Kerala flock the abode of highest peace at Puttaparthi.A central stage had been set up in the marble block in which the acting area had been demarcated with

flowers. The sets were in place and wonderfully costumed children sat awaiting the Lord's arrival. The staging area however had been filled with students. Swami came out for darshan at around 4:35pm. He was all smiles and so were the devotees. To see Swami is really a very special feeling. But that feeling seems to get enhanced especially when you see Him on a day that you consider as very special. And so, while the people in Kerala waited in eager anticipation for their king Mahabali, the Kerala devotees in Puttaparthi were welcoming the Lord Vamana Himself! Swami moved through the ladies side and coming to the centre saw the elaborate stage that had been set up. Seeing the tiny tots seated in regal costumes, the smile on His face widened. He asked them, "Are you doing drama?" All He got for a reply was hesitant and cute nods from a few kids and absolutely blank looks from the others! Smiling to Himself, Swami moved on. As He moved through the

gents side, which experiences greater freedom for devotion due to the looser rope of discipline being imposed on them, the devotees rose to various heights to catch a glimpse of Him. On His part Swami blessed all of them and His hands kept moving up and down, reassuring and calming them. Moving throug the students area, Swami finally came on to the stage. He asked all the students to clear the performance area so that the drama could immediately begin. He called the Kerala state president and asked him to introduce the program. The Balvikas students from Kerala would be performing a dance drama called "Dashavataaram". As that announcement was made, "microscopically" (!) tiny children came forward with flowers to present to Swami! Swami also seemed to be amazed at how little the children were. Full marks to the children for the exemplerary discipline they exhibited and that discipline seemed to invite Swami to interact more with them. Swami

blessed them and then told them to return to their place which they did so in the most reverential manner. Then the programme began. It turned out to be more of dance and less of drama - a wonderful propostion when it comes to the children from Kerala who seemed to have learnt dance even before they were born!The programme traced all the 10 avatars of MahaVishnu. Each avatar was introduced by the dance and then made its brief appearance. The avatar was then celebrated with another dance. The dances were such a pleasing sight and musically so rich and resonant. The choreography was perfect and it was incredible to think that children so small were capable of feats so big! The Matsya(fish), Kurma(tortoise) and Varaha(boar) Avatars were well depicted with 'manimals" shall was say! That is, people in disguise as a fish, tortoise and boar were seen on the backstage. The story of the Narasimha Avatar(half man- half lion) was briefly depicted and the

actor donning the role of Hiranyakashyapu performed superlatively. The significance of Onam and some of the festivities were beautifully depicted as the Vamana Avatar came onstage. The Prashurama and Rama Avatar arrived together and the greatest devotee Hanuman too got his share of the 'limelight'. The tiny toddling Krishna won everyones heart with his sheer presence on the scene! He looked so sweet and cute. The famous episode between of Krishna enriching Sudama's life in every way was depicted. Then going the Buddha, the programme turned to Swami. Swami went briefly to the interview room and returned having arranged for sarees which He wanted to gift the children with. On His way back, He stopped for a minute at the bhajan hall. Representatives of the students working in Central Trust were seated there. Swami, in all Love, had granted everyone bonuses and hikes in salaries and they expressed gratitude to Him. Swami blessed them and told

them, "Continue whatever you are doing in the same way. Thats enough for me!" He arrived at the stage and asked for the children to arrange themselves in a compact manner so that He would pose for group photos with them. As the boys and girls seated themselves separately, Swami moved down from the stage and posed for photographs with the children. He then asked for sarees to be brought. He personally gave all the girls sarees and along with each saree came a free smile too! The same procedure followed with the boys too, only that they were given white cloth pieces. After blessing them thus, Swami moved back to the stage and asked for bhajans to begin. During the bhajans, He blessed prasadam to be distributed. Later, receiving Aarthi and blessing everyone with beautiful smiles, Swami went back to Yajur Mandir.