Holi festival

Holi is the spring festival of India and is also known as the Festival of Colors. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season, on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalgun (February - March). In West Bengal, it is known as Dol Yatra or Basant-utsav. The most joyous celebrations are in the land of Braj, in district of Mathura, where tourists especially throng during the Holi festival.

Origin

There are many stories associated with Holi. The demon king Hiranyakashipu performed penance for a long time and got a boon from Lord Brahma that he should not be killed under any of the following conditions: in the day or night, inside the house or outside the house, by a man or an animal, in the sky or on earth.

Holi festival

Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlad was a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu. In the face of severe opposition from his father, Prahlad was always absorbed in devotion to Lord Vishnu and he always spoke about God. Hiranyakashipu was not happy with his behavior. When Hiranyakashipu’s repeated attempts to wean Prahlad away from devotion to Vishnu failed, Hiranyakashipu adopted different means to kill Prahlad. He was given poison, but it turned into nectar instead of killing him. Prahlad was left in a closed room with many poisonous snakes, but they did not harm him. Huge elephants were set loose in an attempt to trample Prahlad, but they too could not kill him.

Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika’s help was taken. Holika had a boon, whereby she could not be burnt by fire. She took Prahlad in her lap and sat in a blazing fire. Prahlad kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu and remained unharmed, while Holika got burnt. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika, and celebrates the protection that God granted to his pure devotee. Later, Lord Vishnu appeared as Narasingh, having the body of man and the face of a lion (He was neither man nor animal). He killed Hiranyakashipu at the doorway to his house (which was neither inside nor outside the house), at twilight (which was neither day nor night), and by placing him on his lap (which was neither sky nor earth).

Holi festival

Holi figures prominently in the leelas (divine pastimes) of Shree Krishna. As a child, Shree Krishna was very playful and mischievous. He complained to his mother about the difference between his dark skin and Radha’s fair complexion. To appease Him, His mother asked Him to apply dark color on Radha’s face. This festival is celebrated remembering this incident, and the Divine love between Radha and Krishna.

Shree Krishna popularized the festival in Braj by His playful pranks, where He applied color on Radha and the gopis using water jets called pichkaris (a domestic syringe-like toy). The celebrations gained acceptance and popularity. Slowly, the use of colors and pichkaris in Holi became rampant. This pastime is wonderfully brought alive each year all over India. In fact, the entire country is drenched in colored water for Holi.

The beautiful scenes of Krishna’s pranks, in which he played color with Radha and other gopis, have been depicted in a number of paintings and murals. In some states of India, there is also a tradition to place the deities of Radha and Krishna in a decorated palanquin, which is then carried along the main streets of the city. All this while, devotees chant Shree Krishna’s name, sing devotional hymns and dance in bliss.

Celebration

Holi is surely one of the most vibrant and joy-filled festivals of India. It is unmatched in terms of fervor, family participation, excitement and revelry. Holi celebrations start with a bonfire on the eve of Holi. This bonfire signifies the burning of Holika in the fire. From the bonfire of Holi, people take a little fire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom their homes will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from disease. At several places, there is also a tradition of cleaning homes, removing all dirty articles from around the house and burning them.

In Vrindaban and Mathura, where Shree Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for sixteen days, as each major temple organizes a Holi celebration on a different day.

Holi festival

On the day of Holi, people enjoy throwing colors on each other. People play Holi with great elation and spray colored water everywhere. One can hear the shouts and laughter of people shouting “Holi hai! Holi hai!” Color powders are thrown in the air and colored water is sprayed on each other using a pichkari. People usually wear white garments on this day. Many sweets are prepared and exchanged. People gather on the streets and throw colored water on everybody’s clothes, even on strangers who pass by, no matter whether they are rich or poor. Differences of any sort are drowned in the colored waters of Holi, and enemies forgive and hug each other on this day.

In certain places of India, another game is played on Holi day. Women run behind men and tear their shirts. This is celebrated in remembrance of the Lord Krishna and His mischievous games with the gopies. To further enhance the festive spirit of Holi celebrations, people dance to the rhythm of the dholak and sing traditional folk songs in the loudest possible pitch. Children particularly enjoy the festival as they throw water-filled balloons. In the midst of these coloring games, mouth watering Holi specialties like bhujiya, malpua, matthi, puran puri, dahi bada, etc and downed with glasses full of thandai.

After a wild and eventful day, evenings are spent visiting friends and relatives. People exchange sweets and hug each other conveying warm good wishes for Holi.

Holi is very popular in the whole of North India, particularly in Braj region - Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana that are closely connected with Lord Krishna. Holi is also celebrated with great intensity in Western India as well as Orissa and Bengal.

Outside India, Holi is celebrated by people in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and countries with large Hindu communities, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji.

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri, or the great night of Lord Shiv, is the most important festival celebrated by Shaivites or followers of Lord Shiv. This festival falls on the thirteenth or fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Maagh (February - March). People stay up the whole night singing songs in praise of Lord Shiv, performing abhishek (sacred bathing) of the Shivling, or simply remembering Him by chanting His name repeatedly.

Maha Shivratri festival

About Lord Shiv

“Shiv” means “The Auspicious One.” Lord Shiv is one of the three forms of God, along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who take care of the affairs of the material universe. Lord Shiv looks after the process of annihilation of the universe. He is also the source of fertility in all beings. Thus, He maintains the balance of life in the universe. His abode is Mount Kailash, where He lives with his Divine consort, Goddess Parvati, engaged in deep meditation.

Lord Shiv is usually clad in tiger skin and elephant skin. His hair is tied in a knot on top of His head, where He holds the Ganga, the holiest of all the rivers. Also on His head is the crescent of the fifth day moon. His favorite weapon is the Trishul, or the trident fork. The sound He loves is the beating of the Damru, a small drum that He holds in His palm, and shakes in a rhythmic manner while singing devotional songs. It also indicates His position as the creator of alphabets, language, grammar and music.
Lord Shiv is pleased by sincere devotion, and He accepts even the simplest offerings such as water and the sacred Bilva leaves, if they are given with love.

Origin

There are many stories related to the festival of Shivratri, and they vary from region to region.

Some consider this day to be the one when Shiv married Parvati. Shiv was engaged in meditation for so long and the Gods were impatient for Him to marry, for His offspring would be the only one who could rid them of their prime enemy, the demon Taraka. They were so pleased when Parvati won the heart of Lord Shiv through Her love and single-minded devotion that they celebrated all night long. Even today, Shivratri is celebrated in some temples in India by reenacting the Divine marriage at midnight.

For some, this is the day when the ocean was churned by the celestial gods and the demons for the divine nectar that had the power of granting immortality. However, before the nectar could come out, there emerged “Halahal”, the terrible poison, which started suffocating the entire world. Lord Shiv drank the poison and confined it in his neck, earning the name “Neelkanth.” Maha Shivratri is celebrated on this day, as a thanksgiving to the Lord for saving the world.

There are even more stories related to this sacred day. This is the day when Lord Shiv danced the Tandava dance all through the night. This festival is also linked to the story about the discussion between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu regarding the greatness of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv appeared before them in the form of a pillar, but they were unable to locate either the base or the top of the gigantic pillar. At last, He appeared before them in His personal form on Shivratri day. There are many such stories in different parts of the country, but they all illustrate the greatness of Lord Shiv.

Offerings to Lord Shiv

Lord Shiv is known as “Abhishek Priya.” He loves being bathed by milk, water and other cooling things, since it helps cool down the effect of the poison He holds in his throat. However, His favorite is the sacred leaf, known as Bilva or Bael. There is even a story to illustrate this.

Once, a hunter was returning home through the jungle, and found himself being pursued by a tiger. He climbed up a tree, but the tiger would not give up, and sat under the tree. As night fell, the hunter was scared that he would fall down and be eaten by the tiger. So, he started plucking leaves from the tree and throwing them down, just to pass the time. That night happened to be Maha Shivratri, and the tree happened to be a Bilva tree. Moreover, there was a lingam underneath the tree, and the leaves plucked by the hunter rained on the Lingam all night long. Lord Shiv was so pleased by this offering, that He appeared in front of the hunter, and blessed both him and the tiger, emancipating them. Such is the power of prayers to Lord Shiv on Maha Shivratri!

Among the other items used to bathe the Lord, the most important are milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and honey. Vibhooti (sacred ash) and water are also used in large amounts.

Celebration

All over India, people wake up early for the ritual bath. After that, they begin their prayers to Lord Shiv and abstain from food. The whole day is spent in chanting the Lord’s name, and when night falls, devotees visit the temple to participate in the Abhishek there. Most temples are kept open all night long on this day, and prayers continue throughout the night.

Maha Shivratri festival

Singing songs and repeating the name of the Lord, along with other devotees, makes it easier to stay awake, and so Shivratri is essentially a community festival. While the older people in the family actively participate in the prayers inside the temple, there are also activities to keep the children and the youngsters engaged outside the temple. Plays and dramas with religious themes are staged at many places. Thus, the whole family spends the night remembering the Lord.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival of India. It is also known as the Thanksgiving festival of India. It is a very popular festival that is celebrated across the country under various names. This special day marks the transition of the Sun into Makar Rashi, the zodiac sign of Capricorn. From this day, begins the six-month long Uttarayan, the northern journey of the Sun, which is considered an auspicious period. The unique feature of this festival is that it is always celebrated on the same day of every year – January 14. People thank Suryadev, the Sun God, for ensuring a good harvest and dedicate the first grain to him.

Makar sankranti 

Religious Importance

People pray to Suryadev on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. He is worshipped as the giver of light, the conqueror of darkness (ignorance), and the embodiment of strength.

The Puranas say that on this day, Suryadev visits the house of his son Shani, who is the master of Makar Rashi. It is said that father and son do not get along well, but Suryadev sets aside all differences and makes it a point to meet his son on this day.

It was on this day that Lord Vishnu ended the ever-increasing powers of the Asuras by defeating them and burying their heads under the Mandarachal Mountain. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.

The importance of this day was highlighted during the Mahabharat war, when the great grandsire, Bheeshma, declared his intent to leave his mortal body on this day.

In recent times, a very special event took place on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. Shree Kripaluji Maharaj was invited by the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, the supreme body of 500 Vedic scholars at that time. He spoke before them in sophisticated Sanskrit language for ten days, and revealed the true knowledge of all the Vedic scriptures. When the entire assembly realized that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all of them, they unanimously conferred upon him the title of “Jagadguru.” This historic event took place on January 14, 1957. Prior to this, only four personalities had received the original title of Jagadguru: Jagadguru Shree Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Shree Nimbarkacharya, Jagadguru Shree Ramanujacharya, Jagadguru Shree Madhvacharya. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj became the fifth original Jagadguru in history. This day is celebrated by his devotees as “Jagadguru Diwas (Day of the Jagadguru).”

Celebration

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural styles depending upon the region, with great fervor and devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (place where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag (Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh), and pray to Suryadev. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. In many parts of India, kolams
(colourful ground patterns made out of rice flour) are made in the front courtyards of houses. New clothes for the whole family are bought to mark the festivities. The cattle are decorated with beads, bells and flowers. Their horns are painted and capped with shining metals. Since the festival is celebrated in mid winter, the food prepared for this festival is high in energy. Laddu made of til (sesame seeds) and jaggery is a specialty of the festival. People visit each other and exchange sweets and delicacies.

Celebration in South India

Although Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India, it is most elaborate, colorful and vibrant in the southern states of India. This festival is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu which derives its name from the ritual of boiling a mixture of rice, milk and jaggery, and allowing it to spill over. It is also very popular in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as “Sankranti.”

In some parts of Karnataka, it is celebrated as “Yellu-Bella”. Yellu is sesame seeds and ‘Bella’ is jaggery. The womenfolk of each household distribute a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and groundnuts to relatives and friends. The display of cows and cattle in many colorful costumes in an open field is quite popular. Cows are decorated for the occasion and taken on a procession.

In Tamil Nadu, the celebration lasts for four full days. The first day is celebrated as “Bhogi Pongal” or just “Bhogi”. It is usually meant for domestic activities and family get-togethers. This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds and the give rains. The important ritual observed on this day is “Bhogi”, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. This ritual also symbolizes the destruction of evil and elimination of bad thoughts.

The second day of the festival is known as “Pongal”. It is called “Pedda Panduga” (big festival) in Andhra Pradesh. Prayers are offered to the Sun god early in the morning. Family members gather outside their house and cook “Pongal” in clay pots. New pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango leaves. When the rice inside the pot overflows, the people rejoice saying, “Pongal O Pongal!”, as the overflow of rice symbolizes a prosperous farming for them. People worship Sun god on this day by offering both Pongal and sugarcane. Sugarcane is offered as a symbol of sweetness and happiness in life.

The third day of the festival is known as “Maatu Pongal.” This day is considered as the day of Pongal for cows. For the villagers, the cow, a giver of milk and the bull which ploughs the fields are very valuable and therefore the farmers honor them by dedicating this day for them. It is a day of thanks-giving for these two animals. The cattle are washed and their horns are decorated with flowers and painted with many colors.

A bull taming sport called “Jallikattu” is played on this day. In this sport, a bull is left to run in an open ground. Young men display their bravery by attempting to jump on the bull and control it using its horns. It  is an extremely dangerous sport, as the men ride the bulls with their bare hands and with no protection. The raging bulls have very strong and razor sharp horns. People gather in hundreds and thousands to watch this sport.

Makar sankranti

The fourth day of Pongal celebrations is called Kaanum Pongal. In some places, this day is also known as Karinaal or Thiruvalluvar Day. This day is very similar to Rakhsa Bandhan and Bhai Dhooj that is celebrated in Northern India. It is predominantly a festival where women offer prayers for the wellbeing of their brothers. On this day, people travel to see other family members and the younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money. Another ritual many women follow is leave food out on banana leaves for birds to eat.

Celebration in other parts India

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by taking a dip in a holy river. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, people of all ages celebrate Makar Sankranti by flying kites and holding kite flying contests. In Rajasthan, this festival is known as “Sakrat” while in Gujarat it is known as “Uttarayan”. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra it is called “Tilgul”. This is a special day for married women who are invited for a get-together called “Haldi-Kumkum” and given gifts including utensils.

In the Punjab, this festival is celebrated as “Lohri”. It is also celebrated as “Bhogali Bihu” in Assam and “Shishir Sankraat” in Kashmir. In Bengal, it is celebrated as “Poush Sankranti”. On this occasion, pilgrims gather at Gangasagar, the point where the holy river Ganga meets the sea, to take a dip and wash away all the earthly sins.

Importance

Makar Sankranti symbolizes a new and auspicious beginning for all. It is an occasion to forget the past and allow new light to enter one’s life. It is an opportunity for families to get together and offer their respects to the land and animals that feed them on a daily basis. It gives us a chance to pray to God for the overall prosperity and wellbeing throughout year.

Komuravelli Mallanna Jaathara festival

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Komuravelli is popularly known as the temple of a Hindu temple on a hill in the village of Siddipet Komuravelli in the district of Komuravelli Mallanna, Telangana. The primary Goddess Mallanna or Mallikarjuna is the incarnation of Swami Lord Shiva. It is located near Siddipet on SH-1 Rajiv road. The god is also called Khandoba by the Maharashtrians. The temple is located 85 km from Hyderabad.

Komuravelli Mallanna Jaathara festival

Mallana is accompanied by his commerce Gaula Kethamma, Devi Ganga and Maddhamma, Goddess Parvati in the main temple. Ogu legend singers sing the story of Mallanna here The devotees pray to Mallana with the help of Ogu Pujaris, who draw a Rangoli in front of Lord Mallanna and Patnam (a form of prayer to God) in the verandah of the temple, inside the temple.

During Maha Shivaratri a large number of devotees come during the celebration of Pedda Patnam and before the Udayi Agni Gundalu come to the temple of Mallanna during the celebration of the festival. The festival season, known as Jatara, begins with the Sankranthi and continues till the time of Udayadi. A large number of devotees pray to the Gods on all Sundays coming between Sankranti and Ugadi.

Another temple is near Konda Pochamma Temple, which is visited by devotees going to the Mallanna temple.

Komuravelli Mallanna story

There is no written script for the story of Lord Mallana. Mallanna's story is sung in "Oug Katha". In this Ogu legend, Swami Mallanna married Devi Meddalma, who was facing situations laid down by her brothers. Goddess Medlalma is also called Bramerambika, who is the wife of Lord Shiva.

Peerla Panduga festival

Muharram, also called Pirla Panduga in Telalana state, is an important festival. Muharram is a festival which is marked by process. During this occasion, a remnant named Alam is taken out as a procession. Representing a group of Sufi Shrine, the Ashrakhana is a region where there is a procession, many Muslims and even Hindus participate in this festival while chanting yes hussain because they participate eagerly in this procession.

Peerla Panduga festival

In Dabarpura area of ​​Hyderabad, Hindus are considered to be the Alegararda, which means standard holders in the famous temple of Bibi addition. Hindus have relied on thousands of people to worship the sacred relics of Alam because it is believed that the philosophy of this Alam gives them peace and peace of mind. On this special day of Muharram, Hindus visit the Sufi temples. Pirla Panduja is indeed an opportunity to grieve when Hindu devotees respect the feelings of their Islamic brothers and participate in a serious procession.

Peerla Panduga festival

Gods are brought from the forest to a place for a period of 10-12 days when more than 10 million devotees give prayers and gifts 'Bangaram', which is a pure doll for the gods. The whole place changes with Divine Mantras and for this Jatha there is a detailed arrangement with thousands of buses coming along with pilgrims.

In Badakhali, there is a rich history of 400 years in the Badakhali Ashrakhana, and during this festival there is the house of the maximum crowd. Thousands of Hindus go to this temple, especially during the 9th and 10th days of the festival. Many foreign tourists also see the proceedings of these festivals. In the last day, Alam is taken over an elephant as well as a march towards Masjid-e-Elahi besides Bibi. Festivals are celebrated in many rural areas of Telangana near Sufi temples or Durgahs.

Vishu festival

Thehe various Hindu festivals of Kerala, Vishnu occupy a unique position in more than one respect. As a symbol of volatile Kerala, Vishu is free from ordinary pomp and joy associated with shows and other festivals.

Vishu festival

The first day of the Malayalam month is an unchanging day of Vishnu, while other festivals are determined according to the asteroids which they fall on. The day Vishnu falls, it is the celestial New Year's day and it is celebrated in this way.

Malayalis believes that the year depends on the nature of fate which first sees the morning of the Vishu Divas. In order to fulfill the desire to see the auspicious essays, they prepare 'Kani' (one omen) in the morning to see the next morning. Next item is giving handsel (Kai Nitam). The eldest members of the family take some silver coins and give them some raw rice and kona povu (golden house flower) to the junior member.

Vishu festival image

It is also repeated in the case of other members and they in turn handles their juniors, relatives, servants etc. After this the children begin to set fire to crackers.

Rituals and Customs of Vishu Festival

The festival of Vishnu follows the beginning of the new year of Malayali and festivals are celebrated in the vicinity of Tamilnadu. According to Indian astrological calculations, Vishu Din Zodiac sign marks the transit of the Sun in Mesaraashi.

Traditional people of Kerala celebrated Vishnu festival and celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. There are many traditions that have been followed by different generations or people and there are some customs which have been practiced for the past few years. All the Vishnu traditions and customs mentioned here are traditions and customs.

Particular sight

The traditional name Vishukkani comes from the Malayalam word "kani", which literally means "which is seen first". So the name Visukhkanu means "which is seen in the first Vishu".

Under this tradition of Vishukhi, a set list of items is collected and people see it in the first thing in the morning of Vishnu. This tradition is celebrated by celebrating Vishnu festival with the conviction that good things in the new year work as a lucky attraction and bring good luck for the whole year.

Uruli Ball is an open open shallow spherical vessel made out of metal. Behind this vessel, a metal mirror is known as Valkakanadi and an image of Lord Krishna is kept. Two standing oil lamps are placed in front of the god.

On the day of Vishpuli, (Vishu on the morning of the day) is a tradition of getting up early and going to the worship room with eyes so that the person who can see the first thing is the glorious view of God with the Vishkkini, the reflected mirror. This ritual is known as Kanikanal.

It is also considered to be reading verses from the Ramayana or Bhagwat-Geeta after seeing it. According to the customs of the Vishnu festival, the page will be opened in the coming year, there will be a relationship with someone's life.

Vishukkaineetam

After performing one of the first rituals of Vishnu festival, all the members of the family shower, Shushkhani, and wear new clothes to collect Vishukenematam. It is an exercise to distribute money in the form of coins. Giving coins or notes to elderly youth of the family.

Some rich families will not give money to their children but will also pay their neighbors, servants etc. In this belief, people fulfill this tradition that in this way their children will be blessed with future prosperity.

Dishes

Vishu is not celebrated with traditional rituals, but is also filed with customs of the feast. In addition to jackfruit, mango, pumpkin and other seasonal vegetables and fruits, special dishes are prepared using gourd. There are approximately equal proportion of sweet, salty, sour and bitter items in food items. Popular festival recipes include 'Vappampurasam' (Neem's bitter preparation), Kanji (beverages made from rice, spices and coconut milk) and 'Mampajapachi' (a sour common soup).

Importance Of Celebrating Vishu Festival

Kerala's original people see Vishu with many colorful rituals. This festival is a symbol of prosperity and is a festival of crops. On Vishnu's day, the sun enters the zodiac sign and the amount of day and night is equal.

The importance of Vishu festival is to start right. The importance of mythology is that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narkasur on this day and hence the reason for Vishnu festival is a celebration of this victory.

A good crop brings happiness to the common people and it means that their barn will be filled. Vishu is celebrated to pray for a good and prosperous year.

The first sight in Vishu Morning is Vishnukani and includes a part of a well-organized good crop in Uruli. Vegetables in Uruli, fruits especially jackfruit, cucumber, mango, half cut coconut, glass full rice, traditional Kerala costumes, which set Mundu, Betel leaf, metal mirror, coconut, gold coins are arranged before the image of Lord Vishnu .

Important aspect of Vishu is also about the bondage within the family. The festival known as Sada is eaten by the whole family and gets together among the members. Elders give money to young people because it is brought in luck and prosperity. Small members touch the stages of the elderly and take blessings. This tradition of giving money to the youth is known as Vishnukanetam.

Vishukodi, a new dress is an integral part. In the olden times when farming was the main source of income, then there were limited opportunities to buy new clothes. Along with the changing scenario, Vishu still has the tradition of buying new clothes.

More than Diwali, fireworks are widely used in Vishnu. The whole family gathers to enjoy it and hence the bond becomes stronger. Vishu is about to thank God for asking for his blessings.

In small villages, men and women wear dresses wearing a skirt of masks on dried leaves and face. Then they go home from home and collect prizes for their performance

Onam festival

Onam is the national celebration of the state of Kerala. A legend of Onam is about the sweet memories of distant past when a famous emperor of Asuras (demons) ruled Mahabali on Kerala.

His period is considered as a golden era in the history of the country. A popular folk song tells the glory of that period. When Mahabali (Maveli) used to rule, all the men were equal, they were living the life of happiness and there was no disaster for anybody - thus the song goes away.

Neither was dishonest nor fraud, nor was there an example of false accent, use of counterfeit measures or other types of unfair practice. True harmony, communal and otherwise, prevail. In short, it was an ideal welfare state, the legend tells us. But Devas got angry with Mahabali's rule because his popularity was deteriorating dangerously.

They complained to Lord Vishnu and they reincarnated in the form of Vaman - Dwarves.

Onam festival dance

He contacted Mahabali and urged for three feet of land. Mahabali gave instant desire to Vaman. Suddenly, the dwarf size vomited in the sky and covered the sky with the earth and the other with one step.

There is no place to keep the third phase, Mahabali presented his head. Vaman placed his foot on the head of Mahabali and pushed it into Pathlam (Pathlam). But before sending Mahabharatha to Mahabharata, Lord Vishnu boiled to Mahabali that he could go to his subjects once a year.

On the day the Mahabali visits his subjects, he is celebrated as Onam. The time of their annual visit is in the first Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September) and this opportunity became Jubilee in the whole country, reminding Mahabali's rich time.

Onam festival

Whatever is true behind this legend, Onam has done a grand national harvest festival for the last several centuries in which all the sections of the people participate with the Extreme Jubilee.

Onam festival duration

The festival should start with the moon's asteroid, which falls ten days before the asteroid of Thiruvonam. Preparation for the festival begins at the eleventh day. Tyuruvanam is the most important day of the festival. Athapuavu (floral decoration) in the yard in front of the house has been built from first to thiruvonam for ten days. Gifts are distributed to young members of the family. Then follow the Onam feast of delicious food on the plant leaves.

The members of the family, by staying away from the original places, make it a point to celebrate the festival of their kith and relatives in the houses of their ancestors. Keralites celebrate Onam by organizing community festivals, cultural programs, etc. After the festival, there will be sports and games in both indoor and outdoor, in which men and women of all ages participate Mock fighting, ball games, cards and chess games are the favorites of men, while women enjoy happiness in Ojtalattam, Thambithullal, Tiruvathirakali, Kakotkali etc.

The boat race (Regatta) also makes another item of Onam festival, which attracts thousands of people including tourists. Out of state State government also initiates to celebrate Onam Season as a weekend tourism festival with the motive of attracting tourists. Various cultural forms, old and new are presented in all the important cities of the state during the festival.