The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has sent her greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of Onam.
In a message, the President said “On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad, especially the brothers and sisters of Kerala.
Celebrated to mark the harvesting of crops, Onam is an occasion to respect our farmers’ hard work and express our gratitude towards Mother Nature.
The people of Kerala have preserved their rich cultural heritage. This festival is also an opportunity for them, to promote mutual cooperation and harmony.
On this occasion, let us resolve to work unitedly and contribute to making India a prosperous and glorious nation”.
About Onam Festival
In the Indian state of Kerala, Onam is an annual cultural festival. The official festival of the state is a major annual event for Keralites and includes various cultural activities. As a celebration of Mahabali and Vamana, Onam is based on Hindu tradition.
The Onam festival commemorates the good governance under the rule of Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala. Legend has it that the devas and gods conspired against Mahabali because they were jealous of his popularity and power. Vamana was sent to earth as a dwarf Brahmin who trampled Mahabali to patala (netherworld). As a gift from Mahabali, Vamanan requested three feet of land. Since denying gifts to Brahmins is considered sacrilege, Mahabali agreed to fulfil Vamana’s request. Vamana measured the entire universe with his first two feet, leaving no space for his third foot. To fulfil the wish, Mahabali offered his own head in place of his third feet. As a result of Mahabali’s generosity, Vishnu granted the king’s sole request to visit his land and people every year. This homecoming of Mahabali is celebrated as Onam in Kerala every year.
The date of the Onam celebration is based on the Panchangam, and falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of Malayalam calendar, which in Gregorian calendar falls between August–September.