When was onam declared as the national festival of kerala

While he was very kind to his subjects, he had a very high sense of pride of his wealth. To teach him the virtues of humility, Lord Vishnu took form of a dwarf called Vamana and came into his kingdom asking for three pieces of land.

Mahabali immediately accepted his request. Vamana then showed his true form and placed one foot on the land, one on the sky and asked the king for the third piece of land. Humbled, Mahabali offered Vamana his head as the third piece. This led to Mahabali's death. But his subjects were distraught learning about his death. For this, Lord Vishnu said that Mahabali can to return to the Earth once a year during the festival of Onam.

Apart from the flower decorations, various sporting events are held during the festival. The most popular among them is the annual snake boat race, called the Vallamkali held on river Pampa. Onam is being observed on August 21, The 10 day festival this year ends on August This year it began on August It is a very prominent celebration among the people of South India who celebrate the homecoming of the demon king Mahabali.

Take a look at the details of the festival this year here. Onam is a harvesting festival observed by the Malayalis during the month of Chingam, the first month in the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham.

It usually falls in the month of August and September every year. The word Onam is originated from the Sanskrit word Shravanam which refers to one of the 27 Nakshatras or constellations.

In South India, Thiru is used for anything associated with the Lord Vishnu and it is believed that Thiruvonam is the Nakshatra of Lord Vishnu who pressed the King Mahabali to the underworld with his foot. Onam is celebrated to honour the home-coming of a mythical-demon king Mahabali. Mahabali was a demon but he was known for being generous and kind-hearted.

Gods were very insecure about the popularity of the demon king and so, they asked help from Lord Vishnu. As, Mahabali worshipped Lord Vishnu so, Vishnu told Gods that he would aid them but did not involve in a battle with Mahabali. Lord Vishnu transformed into a poor dwarf Brahmin called Vamana and went to Mahabali's kingdoms, asking for three wishes. He asked Mahabali for property right over a piece of land which measured 'three paces'.

Mahabali agreed to fulfill Vamana's desire. Vamana started to grow in size and his first feet covered the Earth and second feet covered the sky. For the third feet no place were left, and then Mahabali requested Vamana to place third feet on his head, thus, burying himself into underworld. However, by seeing the devotion of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu was impressed and told him that he could return to earth once a year to visit his people and his kingdom during Onam.

And so, every year during this period Onam festival is celebrated. People make the carpet of flowers which is known as 'Pookkalam' and lay in front of their house to welcome King Mahabali. Several traditional rituals are performed like Snake boat races, Onappottan, Kaazhchakkula, Puli Kali, Kaikottikkali, etc. The feast ends with a series of the dessert called Payasam a sweet dish made of milk, sugar, jaggery, and other traditional Indian savories eaten either straight or mixed with a ripe small plantain.

The curries are served with rice, usually, the 'Kerala Matta' parboiled rice preferred in Kerala. In hotels and temples, the number of curries and dishes may go up to The importance of the feast to Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb "Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam " which means "One must have the Onam lunch even selling his property, to have so".

The Travancore-style Onasadya is renowned to be the most disciplined and tradition-bound. This refers to all the games played at the festival of Onam. Talappanthukali which is game played with a ball is a favorite of men.

They also indulge in Ambeyyal archery. Women engage themselves in making Pookalam and performing several traditional dances. Also known as the snake boat race, this is one of the most entertaining events of the Onam festival.

Numerous oarsmen row huge snake-shaped boats. Men and women come from far and near to watch and cheer the snake boat race through the water. This event is particularly featured on the Pampa River, considered sacred and Kerala equivalent of Ganges River. The boats are decorated beautifully in different patterns.

Men and women from across the city come to witness this race. Pookkalam refers to making designs with different types of flowers in front of the gate of the house. With each passing day during the Onam festival, a new layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam.

At some Pookalam competitions are held at some places. The Onam celebrations across the state start off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Atthachamayam, also referred to as Thripunithura Athachamayam. The parade features elephants marching, drum beats and other music, folk art forms, floats and colorfully dressed people with masks.

In Kerala's history, the King of Kochi used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkakara temple, meeting and greeting his people. In contemporary times, this a state-supported event. The parade floats traditionally feature scenes from epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Additionally, some floats include themes from the Bible as well as current themes thereby highlighting unity and harmony.