Onam: The Festival of Harvest ‘n Joy

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Wish you all a Happy and Prosperous Onam!!!

Posted in Kerala, India | No Comments »

Indian Orthodox Church

India is one of the earliest of centres of Christainity in the world. The Christain religion in India is as old as the Christain religion itself. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in India in the first century itself. Tradition traces the origin of Christianity in India to the missionary enterprises of St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. This tradition, most dearly cherished by a large of Christians known as the Saint Thomas Christians.

The name, Malankara Orthodox Church, refers to the section of the St.Thomas Christians of India, that Canonically came under Catholicate of the East whose Supreme Head is His Holiness The Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan,with head quarters at Devalokam, Kottayam,Kerala, India. St.Thomas Christians at present belongs to ten different churches and denominations. The Malankara Orthodox Church is one among them and it is the second largest.

St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, is the founder of the ancient church in India. Christian writers and historians from the 4th century refer to the evangelistic work of Apostle Thomas in India, and the Indian Christians ascribe the origin of their church to the labours of the apostle in the 1stcentury.
(more…)

Posted in Kerala, India, Religion, Orthodox Church | No Comments »

Onam : The Festival of Joy

Onam

Onam is one of the most important festival of Kerala. It is a bright and colorful festival that celebrates the bounties of nature and a year of good harvest. The festival stretches on for ten days - days filled with feasting, boat racing, singing and dancing. Rituals along with new clothes, traditional cuisine, dance, and music mark this harvest festival.

Legends

According to the legends, Kerala was ruled by the Demon King Mahabali. The Gods feared that he might become too powerful, so they approached Lord Vishnu, to curb Mahabali’s power. Lord Vishnu took the form of Vaamana, the dwarf and approached Mahabali. He asked the good King for three paces of land. King Mahabali granted three paces of land to Vaamana. At that, the dwarf grew in height till he almost touched the sky. With his first step, he measured the heavens, with his second, the nether world.
(more…)

Posted in Kerala, India | No Comments »