Kerala: Week long Onam celebrations begin in the state

dynamitenews.com
Thiruvananthapuram/ 13 September 2016.  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated the week-long Onam celebrations which begin from September 13-14.

The festivities began with the mesmerising rendering of 'gana gadharvan' by K J Yesudas that invoked the 'golden era' of Kerala under mythical king Mahabali.

Inaugurating the celebrations, Chief Minister said the very essence of Onam was an inspiration for everyone, including the government, to achieve a similar social atmosphere. 

"This is also an occasion for us to rethink on the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides that have almost eradicated the 'Onam flowers' like 'thumba' and 'kakkappovu' from our land," he said.

According to legend 
This harvest festival of Kerala commemorates the home-coming on the mythical king Mahabali and falls during the month of Chingam (August-September), according to the Malayalam calendar.

Legend goes that the King Maveli (also referred to as Mahabali and Onathappan) brought the golden era to the state of Kerala with his generosity and kindness. It is believed that King Maveli returns from the netherworld each year during Onam to bestow blessings upon his beloved community. 

To mark the festival people take part in a lot of cultural items like vallam Kali (snake boat race), pulikali (tiger dance), pookalam (Rangoli), tug of war and many more.

Onasadhya — the traditional nine-course meal with at least 11-12 dishes is an essential part of the celebrations.

Malayalis across the world celebrate Onam with excitement and fervour.