Onam festival, Onam 2006
When is Onam 2006? Dasera is on 5th September in 2006.
Onam is expressly celebrated by Malayalees in the month of Chingam, which falls around Shravan Masa in Indian calendar. It is one festival where Malayalees of all religions and castes participate and celebrate with gaiety.
'Onam' or 'Thiruvonam', as it is also known, is celebrated heralding King Bali's return to Earth every year.
The mythology has it that the Devas (Gods) of Indralok (abode of Lord Indra) felt threatened by King Bali’s ascendance of power. They also feared that he might invade heaven. They went to Lord Vishnu and begged him to protect them.
Lord Vishnu came down to Earth in the form of a dwarf 'Vamana'. He then approached him and asked land enough to cover his three paces. But once Bali granted him the wish, Vamana suddenly began to expand, and he showed himself to Bali in his supreme form.
With one step he covered earth and heaven with another. Bali then offered his head for the Lord to place his third step. Lord Vishnu stepped on Bali pushing him into the netherworld. As he was going down, Bali was granted a wish by Lord Vishnu that would enable him to come back to Earth once a year. Onam celebrates this coming back of Bali to Earth. This festival also coincides with the harvest time in Kerala. People prepare kheer, banana chips and other dainties on this occasion. Snake boat races are held all over Kerala as a part of celebrations of this festival.