Kohima | September 25 : The Keralites residing in Kohima today celebrated Onam festival here at The Heritage with much pomp and traditional gaiety under the aegis of Malayali Samajam Kohima (MSK). Gracing the festival as the chief guest, parliamentary secretary for justice & law and tourism, Yitachu acknowledged the Keralites for their commendable contributions and services in boosting the economy of the state and also bringing progress and development in Nagaland.
He also stated that credit must go to most of the teachers from South India for ensuring good quality education in the state. He said that Onam festival, what he learnt, is derived and generated because of the activities of King who is generous, and went unto said “Generosity is part of your culture and life.” Yitachu said the sincerity and honesty reflected in their performances, has contributed the image of great India.
He said that there are many festivals in the country but Onam has unique in itself as it is found that every communities and religious group celebrate the festival together and everyone looks forward to have unity during the festivity. The parliamentary secretary said the Government of Kerala has made the festival period as “Tourist Week” where it has attracted thousands of tourists in India.
Highlighting the significance of Onam, George Abraham said that according to the legend, during the ruling of King Mahabali in Kerala long ago each and every section of the society was considered as equals in comfort. There was no scarcity of food, shelter, clothing and other amenities for life and everything was in plenty. So, the subjects were happy and cheerful always.
King Mahabali was a wise, generous and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able King began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heaven and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Maha Vishnu to curtail Mahabali’s powers. Maha Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin’s wisdom Mahabali granted him a wish.
The Vamana asked for a simple gift- three feet of land and the King agreed to it. Lord Vishnu in the appearance of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realizing that Vamana’s third step will destroy the earth; Mahabaili offered his head as the last step.
Lord Vishnu’s fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Lord Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his Kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile.
Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is a day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.
“Yes, we in this part of our great country and for that matter anywhere in the world, wherever one may be, Malayalees do fondly remember this occasion or the days of King Mahabali and celebrate this festival in complete jubilance and in an elated way- the set down heritage and tradition,” said Abraham who is the chairman of Onam Celebration Committee.
MSK president K.M. Geevarghese said that this year Onam celebration was made with little difference from previous year by having a cultural programme followed by a grand feast called “Onasadya” a pure vegetarian food prepared in Kerala traditional style with varieties of dishes, serve on banana leaves called “Tushanila.”
Geevarghese said Kerala is one of the states in India which has a Nagaland Pensioners Association (NPA) whose members assemble from time to time to revive their sweet memories of Nagaland, where Naga youth studying or working in Kerala are invited to attend.
Stating that NPA in Kerala are also invited to attend programmes organized by the various Naga organizations based in Kerala, he said “This goes to show the continued interaction and cooperation among the people of both the states, residing in Kerala.”
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by MSK general secretary Shaji K. The festival was marked by various cultural activities and presentation to meritorious students of last HSLC exam among the community of Keralite and presentation to state teachers’ awardees 2011.
He also stated that credit must go to most of the teachers from South India for ensuring good quality education in the state. He said that Onam festival, what he learnt, is derived and generated because of the activities of King who is generous, and went unto said “Generosity is part of your culture and life.” Yitachu said the sincerity and honesty reflected in their performances, has contributed the image of great India.
He said that there are many festivals in the country but Onam has unique in itself as it is found that every communities and religious group celebrate the festival together and everyone looks forward to have unity during the festivity. The parliamentary secretary said the Government of Kerala has made the festival period as “Tourist Week” where it has attracted thousands of tourists in India.
Highlighting the significance of Onam, George Abraham said that according to the legend, during the ruling of King Mahabali in Kerala long ago each and every section of the society was considered as equals in comfort. There was no scarcity of food, shelter, clothing and other amenities for life and everything was in plenty. So, the subjects were happy and cheerful always.
King Mahabali was a wise, generous and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able King began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heaven and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Maha Vishnu to curtail Mahabali’s powers. Maha Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin’s wisdom Mahabali granted him a wish.
The Vamana asked for a simple gift- three feet of land and the King agreed to it. Lord Vishnu in the appearance of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realizing that Vamana’s third step will destroy the earth; Mahabaili offered his head as the last step.
Lord Vishnu’s fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Lord Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his Kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile.
Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is a day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.
“Yes, we in this part of our great country and for that matter anywhere in the world, wherever one may be, Malayalees do fondly remember this occasion or the days of King Mahabali and celebrate this festival in complete jubilance and in an elated way- the set down heritage and tradition,” said Abraham who is the chairman of Onam Celebration Committee.
MSK president K.M. Geevarghese said that this year Onam celebration was made with little difference from previous year by having a cultural programme followed by a grand feast called “Onasadya” a pure vegetarian food prepared in Kerala traditional style with varieties of dishes, serve on banana leaves called “Tushanila.”
Geevarghese said Kerala is one of the states in India which has a Nagaland Pensioners Association (NPA) whose members assemble from time to time to revive their sweet memories of Nagaland, where Naga youth studying or working in Kerala are invited to attend.
Stating that NPA in Kerala are also invited to attend programmes organized by the various Naga organizations based in Kerala, he said “This goes to show the continued interaction and cooperation among the people of both the states, residing in Kerala.”
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by MSK general secretary Shaji K. The festival was marked by various cultural activities and presentation to meritorious students of last HSLC exam among the community of Keralite and presentation to state teachers’ awardees 2011.
