India is a country of fairs and festivals. Here every state celebrates its own festivals with great pomp and show. Onam is an important festival of the people of Kerala.
This important festival is related with the legendaries of Puranas. Shree Parushram became sinful due to the killing of Akshtraya kings. For his salvation from the sin he took the land out of the sea from Gokaran to Kanyakumari and gave it in charity to the brahmins. These brahmins gradually settled on the same land, Kerala and grew famous by the name of Napturi. Since then the people of this land believe that Shree Parushram ji comes every year to see the land of Kerala on the day of Onam.
One more story about it, is also prevalent that in ancient times there was a justice-loving king named Mahabali. Seeing his power and reputation his opponents, due to jealousy, prayed to God for his downfall. In answer to their prayer, God in form and of Vamen (dwarfish Stature) went to Mahabali and demanded the land measuring his three steps. Mahabali accepted the entreaty of Vamen. He measured the land of three worlds in two steps. Mahabali offered his body for his third step and himself went to the underworld. While going to the underworld he prayed to God that he should be allowed to come to Kerala once a year to see his people. God accepted his prayer. Since then, the residents of Kerala show their joy on his arrival in the form of Onam. At the time of Onam the people decorate their houses and courtyards with colourful flowers. There are functions, dramas, dances and musical performances at different places. On this day a boat competition is held. People from different places come to participate in this competition. The whole atmosphere is resounded with songs and notes of musical instruments,
Besides joy and courage, festival Onam gives strength to the National life. It also gives unity to all people, the rich or the poor, the small or the great.
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