The 10-day festival, which marked the commencement of the harvest season and, according to folklore, the return of the legendary king Mahabali who is much revered by the Keralites.
Keralites in the city were in an upbeat mood and the festive feeling was palpable as they celebrated Onam, the most important festival of the southern state. The 10-day festival, which marked the commencement of the harvest season and, according to folklore, the return of the legendary king Mahabali who is much revered by the Keralites.
Dinesh Iyer, vice-president of Gujarat Malayalee Association said: “The story dates back to the history of Kerala, which was once ruled by the Asura king Mahabali. He was so great and kind that everybody started revering him, which annoyed the Gods. Lord Vishnu came in disguise and placed his foot on Mahabali's head, sending him to hell. As his last wish, Mahabali had asked permission to meet his subjects once a year. He was allowed this and today is the day when we believe that he comes to meet his subjects.”
“This is the time when we decorate our homes and have a grand feast at home. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil,” said Philip Job, a Malayalee who is master coach of the Youth Congress of Gandhinagar constituency.
Apart from its historical relevance, Onam is significant for more reasons. People have plenty of grains at home as it is August, the harvesting season. Hence, a traditional ritual is followed by a lavish feast, which includes delicacies served on a banana leaf like payasam (kheer), Aviyal (dish prepared in gravy of coconut), kalan (elephant food and curd in coconut gravy), Olan (made from coconut milk and gourd) and others make the thali look colourful and mouth-watering.
On Monday, many Keralite women in Ahmedabad were seen decorating their households and making a carpet of flower petals.
Talking about the custom, a lady said, “The eldest member of the family gifts clothes to the family members. The significance of wearing new clothes on the day is to remove all evils and thoughts and bring in new, good thoughts.”
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