Introduction:
Onam is a 10-day harvest festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. It is the most important festival in Kerala and is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare. The festival is said to commemorate the return of King Mahabali, a benevolent ruler who was banished to the netherworld by the gods. However, Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation, granted Mahabali permission to visit his people once a year.
Onam 2023 will begin on August 20 and will end on August 31. The festivities will begin with the hoisting of the Onam flag at the Vamanamoorthy temple in Thrikkakara, Kochi. The flag hoisting marks the beginning of the 10-day period of festivities.
The main day of Onam is Thiruvonam, which falls on August 29 this year. On this day, people dress in their best clothes and visit temples. They also prepare a special feast called Onasadya, which consists of over 200 dishes made with seasonal vegetables and rice.
History of Onam:
The story of Onam goes way back and is a bit complicated, with different ideas about how it began. The most famous story linked to Onam is about a king named Mahabali. People say he was a really good king who ruled Kerala, a place in India, with fairness and kindness. His people loved him so much that they wanted him to be king forever. But the gods were worried because he was becoming too powerful, so they tricked him into going to another world.
There's a god named Vishnu who felt sorry for Mahabali. Vishnu let him come back to visit his people once a year. That special day is now celebrated as Onam. During Onam, the people of Kerala are happy to welcome their beloved king back.
Some folks believe that Onam started as a festival to celebrate the harvest, like when crops are gathered. This idea is backed by the fact that Onam has a lot in common with other harvest festivals in South Asia.
No matter where it came from, Onam is a really big and important festival in Kerala. People from all kinds of beliefs celebrate it with a lot of excitement. The festival goes on for 10 days, and it's a time for families to get together, have big meals, and enjoy themselves. It's also a time to be thankful for the good harvest.
Everything About Onam 2023:
- Date: Onam 2023 will begin on August 20 and will end on August 31.
- Significance: Onam is a 10-day harvest festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. It is the most important festival in Kerala and is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare. The festival is said to commemorate the return of King Mahabali, a benevolent ruler who was banished to the netherworld by the gods. However, Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation, granted Mahabali permission to visit his people once a year.
- Celebrations: The 10 days of Onam are marked by a variety of festivities, including:
- Pookalam: This is a beautiful flower arrangement that is said to welcome Mahabali back to Kerala. It is made by arranging flowers in a variety of patterns, and it is often displayed in front of homes and temples.
- Onasadhya: This is a feast of over 200 dishes made with seasonal vegetables and rice. It is a symbol of abundance and prosperity, and it is traditionally prepared by the women of the household.
- Boat races: These races are held on the backwaters of Kerala and are a popular tourist attraction. They are a symbol of the state's maritime heritage.
- Kathakali: This is a traditional dance form that tells stories from Hindu mythology. It is a popular performance during Onam, and it is a way for people to learn about their cultural heritage.
- Vallamkali: This is a snake boat race that is held in Alappuzha. It is a popular event that attracts people from all over the world.
- Atham (August 20)
- Chithira (August 21)
- Chodhi (August 22)
- Vishakam (August 23)
- Anizham (August 24)
- Thriketta (August 25)
- Moolam (August 26)
- Pooradam (August 27)
- Uthradom (August 28)
- Thiruvonam (August 29)
- Avittom (August 30)
The most important day of Onam is Thiruvonam, which falls on August 29 in 2023. On this day, people dress in their best clothes and visit temples. They also enjoy the Onasadya, a feast of over 200 dishes made with seasonal vegetables and rice.
The other days of Onam are also celebrated with a variety of festivities, including flower arrangements, boat races, and traditional dances. Onam is a time for families to come together and celebrate their culture and heritage. It is also a time for giving thanks for the bountiful harvest.
राजा बलि कौन थे?
राजा बलि एक पौराणिक राजा थे जो केरल के पृथ्वीलोक पर शासन करते थे। वह एक दयालु और उदार शासक थे, जिन्हें उनके लोगों द्वारा प्यार किया जाता था। उन्होंने अपने राज्य में शांति और समृद्धि लायी।
राजा बलि की कहानी हिंदू धर्मग्रंथों में मिलती है। कहा जाता है कि एक दिन, देवताओं ने राजा बलि की शक्ति और लोकप्रियता से डरना शुरू कर दिया। उन्होंने एक योजना बनाई और राजा बलि को एक युद्ध में पराजित किया। देवताओं ने राजा बलि को नरक में भेज दिया, लेकिन उन्होंने उन्हें साल में एक बार पृथ्वीलोक पर आने की अनुमति दी।
राजा बलि की वापसी के दिन केरल में ओणम त्योहार मनाया जाता है। यह एक 10-दिवसीय उत्सव है जो केरल के लोगों द्वारा बड़े उत्साह के साथ मनाया जाता है।
राजा बलि को हिंदू धर्म में एक महान राजा माना जाता है। उन्हें अक्सर एक दयालु और उदार शासक के रूप में चित्रित किया जाता है।
Conclusion:
Onam marks a 10-day jubilation cherished by the folks of Kerala. This festivity rejoices in the homecoming of King Mahabali, a kind-hearted sovereign who was exiled to the netherworld by divine powers. The tale goes that the deities granted Mahabali an annual visit to his people, and Onam commemorates that very occasion. In the year 2023, Onam will be observed starting from August 20 up to August 29. As such, Onam is observed singularly once a year. Consequently, the response to the query "How often is Onam observed within a year?" would be "Only once a year.
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