Why has BJP declared Asura King Mahabali of Onam festival as an anti-national in Kerala?

Onam is the state festival of Kerala which is celebrated by all Malayalees. Onam has been a part of Malayalee psyche for centuries. The earliest record of the festival is found during the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around AD 800.

Onam is a community event, a celebration of a time in the past when all men (and women) were equal. Onam is no way Vamana Jayanti for an average Malayali like me. It is unimaginable for us to see Mahabali out of the picture.

No Mahabali = No Onam

Why every Malyali celebrate Onam?

Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture.

First Reason(Onam born of prosperity and auspiciousness)

It is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

Second Reason(Onam that comes from inner contentment)

Onam marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, a legendary king, who ruled Kerala in ancient times. That period was believed to be the golden age of Karala, people were happy, free from harm and complete harmony and prosperity was there. He was the most just king ever.

‘Maveli naadu vaaneedum kaalam,’ a very popular song sung during Onam means,

“When Maveli ruled the land, all the people were equal. And people were joyful and merry; they were all free from harm. There was neither anxiety nor sickness. Deaths of children were unheard of. There were no lies. There was neither theft nor deceit, and no one was false in speech either. Measures and weights were right. No one cheated or wronged his neighbor. When Maveli ruled the land, all the people formed one casteless race.”

Relevance: Onam is For One & All

Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is peculiar to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity, especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life's unlimited joys.

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