The vibrant festival of Onam, recognized as a significant harvest festival in Kerala, was recently celebrated with zest across the South Indian state. This festival commemorates the home-coming of Asura king Mahabali, who is remembered for bringing peace and prosperity to Kerala. This article delves into the details of this rich festival and its unique history.
Onam: A Festival of Time and Tradition
Celebrated during Chingam, the first month in the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham, Onam is one of the three major festivals of Kerala, together with Vishu and Thiruvathira. The festival spans 10 days, beginning on Atham and concluding on Thiruvonam. Its association with harvest indicates the importance of agriculture in the cultural fabric of Kerala.
Celebrating Onam: Rituals and Attractions
During Onam, various customs and rituals are practiced which include creating beautiful Pookkalam (floral rangolis), conducting Vallam Kali (the boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Kummattikali (mask dances) and Onathallu (martial arts exhibitions). The main highlight of the festival is the traditional Onam sadhya, a grand feast that pampers the taste buds of the locals and visitors alike.
God vs Demon: The Unconventional Story of Onam
In many cultures, including Indian, stories of battles between gods and demons where gods overcome evil are familiar. For instance, Rama fights against evil Ravana while Durga conquers the demon Mahishasur. However, Onam diverges from this narrative pattern as it celebrates Asura King Mahabali, often revered as the unchallenged King of Malayalis. In certain areas of Bihar and Bengal, where this ‘demon’ is worshipped, historians interpret these fights between gods and demons as symbolic representations of past struggles between Brahmins and non-Brahmins or tribals.
The Asur Tribe: Descendants of Mahishasur
The Asurs are among the nine Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups found in Jharkhand with Austro-Asiatic origins. They can also be found in Bihar, West Bengal, and a few other regions. According to the 2011 Census, there are 22,459 Asurs in Jharkhand and 4,129 in Bihar. These tribes claim to be the descendants of Mahishasur, the buffalo-demon slain by Goddess Durga after a fierce nine-night-long battle.
This narrative, central to mainstream Hinduism, is celebrated as Durga Puja. Contrarily, it is observed as ‘Mahishasur Dasain’ among the Asurs who mourn during this period while largely staying indoors. They also celebrate festivals like Sarhul, Karma, Dhanbuni, Kadelta, Rajj karma, and Dasahara Karam.
The celebration of Onam reflects the rich cultural diversity of India where even demons, in certain contexts, are venerated and cherished. This festival, hence, stands as an epitome of inclusivity, celebrating victory not over evil but over societal disparities and hardships.
