Like most of the other festivals in India Onam too has lots of legends
associated with it. There are various interesting legends behind the
origin of Onam. The festival is celebrated by all in the state of
Kerala, but Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala are the most spirited when it
comes to Onam celebrations as they attribute its origin to their own
community. Nambudiri also called Namputiri is the dominant caste of
Kerala. Its members regard themselves as the true repositories of the
ancient Vedic religion and of the traditional Hindu code. They believe
to have started the festival. There are various legends associated with
the festival of Onam some of the most interesting and important are as
follows:
The legend of King Mahabali
It is the most popular legend. It is about the mythological King
Mahabali who gave Kerala its golden age. Popularity of the King could
not be tolerated by Gods and they surreptitiously send him to the nether
world. Mahabali's request to visit his people once in a year was granted
by God. This annual visit of King Mahabali is celebrated as Onam every
year. It is believed that he visits the place of Kerala every year. And
that visit is celebrated as the festival of Onam.
The Legend of Vanishing Boy
The legend says that head of the Katoor Mana, a Nambudiri family had a
bath in the river Pampa and was waiting for a poor man to feed. He
suddenly saw a boy in rags. After having the meal, the boy vanished. He
was spotted near the Aranmulla temple but disappeared again. Brahmin
concluded the boy was God himself. Since then, Brahmin brought food to
Aranmulla temple every year.
The Legend of Boat Palliodam
According to this legend once a boat laden with food got stuck in the
bend of a river. When a wise man boarding the boat, Bhattathiripad, fed
a poor and famished family living on the bank of river, only then the
boat could be maneuvered forward. From this legend comes the tradition
of feeding a poor family on Onam.
