ONAM
The Harvest Festival This four-day harvest festival of the Hindus falls in the month of Chingam, marking the advent of spring. It also celebrates the yearly visit of King Mahabali to Kerala. One of the main events of this festival is the snake boat races. Onam is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. It falls in the Malyali month of Chingam, marking the end of the life-giving monsoon and the advent of spring. Mythologically, the event celebrates the annual visit of King Mahabali. According to a legend in Vishnu Purana, Mahabali was a king, and through severe penance had gained dominion over the three worlds. He was an able and just ruler and his people adored him. The gods however, shorn of their powers and deprived of their abode and the spoils from sacrifices performed on earth, asked Vishnu for help. He agreed, and took his fourth incarnation of Vamana, the dwarf. Accordingly, he was born to Sage Kashyapa and his consort Aditi. When he attained maturity, he went to?the court of Mahabali, who was in the midst of a sacrifice. The virtuous Balisaw the Brahmin and immediately asked him what he desired. Vamana begged for as much land as he could encompass with three steps. Bali agreed to the humble request but as soon as the sacrificial water was poured on Vamana`s hands, he became a giant. With one step he covered the earth, with the second step the heavens. As there was no place to claim his third step, Bali offered his head as a resting ground. Vishnu put his foot on Bali`s head and pushed him down to the nether world. However, inrecognition of his virtues, Vishnu made him king of the Asuras. At Bali`s request, Vishnu allowed him to return to earth to visit his people once a year. It is believed that Mahabali visits his people in Kerala during Onam. It has now been historically established that a king named Mahabali ruled over the region of modern Kerala around the 4th century AD. He was a powerful and just kingand his dynasty ruled over Kerala for about 150 years. The return of their erstwhile king is celebrated by the Keralites with tremendous enthusiasm and vigour. Kerala wears a festive look during these four days. Every house is cleaned and decorated. Doorways are adorned with rangoli and flowers. Pukkalam, or floral decorations consisting of garlands and flower petals, are an essential inclusion in all decorations since traditionally, flowers are used to welcome people. Flowers are also symbolic of innocence and freshness which the season brings withit. Every day the old flowers are replaced with new ones. According to alocal belief, the better the house is decorated, the greater the chance of King Mahabali entering it. Here Bali signifies the harvest, and the visit of Mahabali actually symbolises a good harvest. As Kerala is still largely agricultural, people celebrate this event with enthusiasm. Sumptuous feasts are also prepared on all days during Onam. Although the festival centers around the myth of Mahabali and Vishnu, it also celebrates the advent of the harvest season. It is not just the commemoration of the return of a great king who bestowed prosperity and happiness on his people, but also the veneration of the harvest that indicates wealth and joy. On all the four days,the family prays to Vishnu and sings songs in praise of King Mahabali who, through his humility, won Vishnu`s honour and respect. Women sing and dance in the evenings. Vallom Kallies or the snake boat races form an important part of Onam celebrations. Some of the sites famous for these races are Aranmula on the Pamba river in the Kuttanad region,Papiyad near Quilon, and Thayathangadi near Kottayam. The slim boats are about 100 feet long with a capacity of about 150 men. Black in colour, the boats are usually made of anjili (Artocarpus hirsuta), but sometimes teak and kadamb (Nauclea cadamba) wood is also used. Both ends of the boat curl out of the water to about 15 to 20 feet. The curled end sare shaped like cobra hoods and it is from this shape that boat has derived its name. The boats are made by traditional boat builders who inherit this art from their fathers and pass it down to their sons. Everything is handmade and crafted with great care. The boats are ornately designed and decorated with green and scarlet silk umbrellas; their number denotes the affluence of the family to which they belong. Gold coins, ornaments and tassels are hung from the umbrellas. Preparations for the race begin days in advance. Many practice sessions are organised which cease two days before the race. The boats are launched into the water a day before the race, which is held on the third of the four days of Onam. On the day of the race, the boats are smeared with coconut oil to smooth their passage through the water. Just before the race begins, priests perform a small puja to Vishnu and Mahabali and confer blessings on the boat and the boatmen. Flowers are offered to the gods and then placed at the helm of the boat as a sign of good luck. Each long, graceful, snake-like boat is rowed by 100 oarsmen to the beat and rhythm of cymbals, drums, and songs. The winner of this race is bestowed many presents. In the evening, girls dance around the traditional brass lamp, with much rejoicing. According to a legend related to the origin of these boats, once some bandits robbed a small boat carrying offerings to a Krishna temple. Krishna appeared before the devotee in adream and advised him to build alarger boat which, when rowed by 100to 150 oarsmen, would glide swiftly and outstrip any pirate. And so the speedy or snake boat was designed.