Onam

Today, all "mallus" are celebrating Onam, no matter where they are.

Onam -- It is the harvest festival of Kerala, "God's own Country". I am proud to be a Keralite, but shame to tell that, devil's on the people's mind.

Oh, I forgot to explain the word "mallu". Peoples in Kerala, it is an Indian state, are speaking a language called Malayalam. So, whoever, belongs to Kerala and speaks malayalam known as Malayalee. But, when this malayalee gone out of his state, others are calling him with a short name called "mallu". Let's discuss about Onam.

My childhood days, Onam given me very much enjoying and pleasure. Still the same, but I missed a lot. It is the harvest festival. But this year, because of rain and flood, somany lost their belongings and the output of their effort. But, each and every malayaalee, if they didn't have anything, they will at least celebrate one time of the Onam. It starts from Atham, malayalam day, and the exact onam coming after 10 days of this Atham. People arranging the flowers on ground, known as "Onapookkalam", and somany games, including the famous boat racing there. The main attraction is, people are grabbing, I think that is the right word to match here, new things for them and making their lunch as much elaberate as they can. The food, that is the main part of Onam. That is the profit of their effort and the atmosphere at the Onam time also too good to enjoy.

After Onam Lunch, called Onasadya, people are coming out from their houses to enjoy with different types of games, known as Onakkali. It is all the variety of malayalee and who never forget their past.

Behind the Onam, another story also there. One king, named Mahabali ruled Kerala once. He was truthfull to everything. So, the gods are so jealous to him and planned to remove. They send one god to him and asked the place to pray. He told him to take the place as much he want. For this, he showed his exact size and started to take. But, that was not enough, finally, they pulled Mahabali down to the hell. People in Kerala believe, at Onam, Mahabali visits there and watching his people.

Anyway, it is the celebration of Unity and Prosperity. Happy Onam to all.