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Onam A Story of Aryan – Dravidian conflict.
Gurukul Colege is celebrating Onam on September 26th.2008, for convenience, though Thiruonam has been already celebrated on September 12th. There are several stories about Onam:
There is a little tradition of Onam known only in Onattukara, the land of Onam, areas in and around Mavelikara (land of Maveli or Mahabali). The little tradition is that Maveli has been a Buddhist King of Onattukara, where even today remnants of Buddhist culture is present. However, the more popular tradition is that Mahabali has been an Asura (demonized!) King who could not keep the promise he made to Vamana, the incarnation of Vishnu. He was therefore sent to Patala, the netherworld, from where he was permitted by Vishnu to visit his former subjects on the day of Thiruonam. in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Era. Only in Thrikkakara, near Kochi, which is the earliest stronghold of Brahminism inKerala, Vamana is worshipped. In Sabarimala, which has Buddhist links, Onam is celebrated with Palapayasam., a popular Onam delicacy prepared with rice and milk. The word Onam itself might have derived from annam, rice, and oonu or onavakam (Tamil), a rice meal, a feast. In most places it is a secular harvest festival, unrelated to any temple ritual.
Maha Bali, a mighty prince, symbolizes Great Sacrifice. He has performed a Great sacrifice for his country and in turn had to sacrifice his own life for the values he held dear. He was an ideal king under whose rule there was utmost peace and justice, without any corruption or discrimination, everyone enjoying freedom. Kerala Christianity which has also got Buddhist connection refers to the Holy Communion, Qurbana, as Great Scrifice, Bali. The title of the great Chera King who abdicated his throne is Perumal, an allusion to Greatness. Cheras, the princes of the Cheramar tribe who were the indegenous people of Kerala, whose descendents are now known as Kuravas, most probably contributed Kerala its name. Certainly the story of Onam, the great feast, is a remembrance of a life of freedom and plenty.
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