Wish You All A Happy & Prosperous Onam
ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ ഓണാശംസകള്
by G. Binukumar, Nimr, Sultanate of Oman
President Pranab Mukherjee in his message said, "On the joyous occasion of Onam, I offer my warm felicitations and heartiest greetings to all my brothers and sisters belonging to Kerala."
He said the festival brings out the rich cultural heritage of Kerala in its best form and spirit.
"May this harvest festival instill in us the spirit of national integration and inspire us to work for further development of our country" Mukherjee said.
Vice President M Hamid Ansari said Onam plays an important role in uniting people.
He wished that the festival "may usher in peace, prosperity and happiness in the society and contribute in the nation's progress"
Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated by the people of Kerala in India. Also known as Vamana Jayanti, it solemnizes the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the homecoming
of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. The festival falls in the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days.
The festival is acknowledged for its colorful and vibrant celebrations
like Onnapotan (a Kerela art form), Puli
Kali (Masked leopard dance), intricate flower carpets and the like. Besides
these festivities, prayers are being offered in Hindu temples by Hindus and the
non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the sacred temples. Onam is a venerated
feast for Mahabali, a revered figure since the primordial times.
The celebrations of Onam begin on the Atham day, ten days before Thiruvonam. The ten respective days of festivity start with Atham, followed by
Chithira that makes way for Chodi, in succession comes Vishakam subsequently
followed by Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and finally comes,
Thiruvonam, also known as “Second Onam”. Colors, flowers, new clothes,
performing various folk-dance and other cultural activities become the hallmark
of Onam. It is the picturesque fervor that adds to the dramatic element in
Onam.
It is amazing to see the legacy
of Onam going in the modern times. It’s a ritual that marks the succession of
the Keralite traditions and customs. People who cannot make it to the festival
send their loved ones greeting cards, online and through mails. Greeting cards
in Onam keeps the spirit of the festival alive in people near or far. The
festival of color and flowers has gained immense popularity. Thus, the ongoing
revelry and rejoice!
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