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In the month of Chingam (August-September), the southern state of Kerala decks up like a bride to welcome King Mahabali, the legendary and benign Asura who once ruled this land that Mother Nature has abundantly blessed. Onam is a ten-day festival that is grandly celebrated by the people of Kerala. Though it is a Hindu festival, people of all faiths celebrate it with great enthusiasm. People wear new clothes, prepare a sumptuous feast called Ona Sadya, make colorful Pookalams (floral carpets/rangolis), etc. It is also a time to showcase the traditional art forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Thiruvathira kali, as well as folk arts like Puli kali, Thumbi thullal, and Kummati kali during this period. The trees and buildings in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram will be illuminated with lights and, on the final day, there will be a spectacular fireworks display. The festival is dedicated to King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during Onam to see how his subjects are faring in his absence. Mahabali was a very just ruler under whose reign, the people thrived and prospered. Hence, the people spare no effort to give him a grand welcome. 

Who is Mahabali?

Mahabali, according to mythology, was the grandson of Prahalada, a great devotee of Vishnu. Though he was an ‘Asura' or demon, he had a kind heart and was known for his good deeds. During his reign, Kerala became very prosperous. Mahabali's kind and generous nature made him very popular, and this made the Gods jealous. They became afraid that Mahabali would conquer them. So, they asked Vishnu to cut him down to size. Vishnu became a poor, dwarf Brahmin, Vamana, and approached Mahabali. He humbly requested a piece of land that could be measured in three steps. Mahabali agreed at once. Immediately, Vamana took a huge form called Trivikrama. With the first two steps, he covered the earth and sky. For his third step, Mahabali bowed his head so that Vamana could place his foot for the third step.

Impressed with Mahabali’s humility, Vishnu blessed him and said that he would be remembered by the people of his kingdom forever. He also permitted him to visit his kingdom during Onam every year.

King Mahabali’s Return

Every year, King Mahabali emerges from Patal Lok and comes to earth to see his beloved subjects. His return is celebrated for ten days. The days have names – Atham, Chithira, Chothi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thrikketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthraadam, and Thiruvonam, respectively. The most important days of Onam festival are ‘Uthradam' (the day the demon king returns), ‘Thiruvonam' (the day he visits the homes of his people), ‘Avittam' (the day preparations are made for the king's return to Patal Lok) and the last day of Onam (the day he returns to Patal Lok where the demons reside).

The Significance of Mahabali’s story

Many people may wonder why Vishnu sent a good king like Mahabali to the underworld merely because the gods were jealous of him. It is a fact that Vishnu takes an avatar to destroy evil forces that ich gain the upper hand and threaten the stability of the world and the moral order or Dharma, which is essential for everyone’s well-being. But the stories work on two levels. On one level, the asuras or demons stand for evil entities that appear from time to time and threaten the rule of Dharma. On a symbolic level, these demons represent the negative elements within ourselves – anger, jealousy, greed, lust, ego, etc. – that prevent us from becoming one with the Divine. Hindu belief teaches us that we are all part of the Divine, and like a river flowing into the vast ocean, all of us merge and become one with the Divine, eventually. This is the real goal of human existence. To accomplish this, the demons within us have to be vanquished. Mahabali, it could be said, represents the ego, which stands in the way of our merging with the Divine. By sending Mahabali to the underworld, Vishnu as Vamana kills the ego. This is the meaning of Mahabali’s story.

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