tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8451654.post-1159150707226935722006-09-25T12:15:00.000+10:002006-09-25T12:18:27.226+10:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6057/124/1600/onam2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6057/124/320/onam2.jpg" border="0" alt="Onam" /></a>The Onam festival traces its way back to Hindu mythology and the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is a festival of colours, flowers and celebration as King Mahabali is welcomed back home.<br /><br />The Vamanamoorthy temple (photo) in Kerala, is believed to be the very location where Asura king Mahabali offered his head to MahaVishnu's Vamana avatar to place the third feet of land that the noble king granted the brahmin boy. <br /><br />Ceremonial celebrations at the temple go on for 10 days coinciding with the Onam festival.<br /><br />On the ninth day of Uthiradam and the tenth day of Thiruvonam, the caparisoned elephants at the temple are taken in a procession to the music of Panchiratalam - the five instruments played by about 60 artisans.<br /><br />The Pookkalam or flower carpets are the very soul of the Onam festival.<br /><br />Arrangements are made in every home to welcome not just King Mahabali but also the peace, prosperity and happiness that he symbolises.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8451654-115915070722693572?l=legendsandlore.blogspot.com'/></div>Susanna Duffynoreply@blogger.com1