Onam is the most important festival for Malayalees

It cuts across caste, religion and region and is celebrated with much vigour, enthusiasm and spirit

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The story is that Onam celebrates the return of a legendary king Mahabali to check on how his subjects are doing.

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Mahabali, a demon, is vanquished by Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu

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Onam has been the subject of political controversy too. The BJP wants to celebrate it as Vamana Jayanthi but Keralites have resisted it

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But what are the origins of Onam, really?

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Sangam literature in Tamil composed some 2,000 years ago talks about Onam being celebrated in Madurai, the Pandya kingdom

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The word Onam and the festival is described in Madurai Kanchi, one of ten song books or Pathu Pattu, among the earliest of Sangam works

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In Madurai Kanchi written by poet Mangudi Marudhanar, Onam marks the birthday celebration of Mayone, a Tamil diety

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What is now Kerala was a Tamil kingdom ruled by Chera kings – one of three Tamil dynasties described in Sangam.

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The others are Pandyas and Cholas. There is no reference to boats, flowers and so on

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But Onam in Madurai Kanchi is marked by a elephant fight contest

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Onam was celebrated 2,000 years ago by Tamils in Madurai

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Click here to read Full Story in தமிழ் / English

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