A Living Portrait of India
A Living Portrait of India |
India Heritage:Culture:Fairs and Festivals |
| Onam |
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Onam
is the principle festival of Kerala and is linked with the legend of
the mythological king Mahabali. Lord Vishnu manifested himself
in the incarnation of a dwarf Vamana, and requested the powerful king
for a grant of land streching three steps. When the grant was made Vishnu
assumed the form of a titan and in three giant strides measured the
three realms that Mahabali ruled. The generous king was ousted from
his kingdom but was permitted to visit his country and subjects once
a year. On Onam day the houses are cleaned, decorated and lit
to welcome the benevolent ruler of yore. This is the time for the fantastic
boat races at Alapuzha. Snake shaped boats rowed by almost a hundred
strapping ores-men try to speed past one another egged on by cheering
partisan spectators accompanied by a symphony of cymbals and drums.
At Thrissur a colourful procession of caparisoned elephants is taken
out.
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