Will the latest 'Vamana Jayanthi' controversy be the final nail in the coffin of BJP in Kerala?

ONAM is not VAMANA JAYANTHI,

• BJP chief Amit Shah’s “Vamana Jayanti” greeting a day before Thiruvonam, the main day of the Onam festival.
• Shah's post on the eve of Onam came close on the heels of an article in RSS mouth piece Kesari , which argued that Onam was originally Vamana Jayanti.
• Earlier, Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K P Sasikala had stated that Onam was in deed Vamana Jayanti.

Though the story remains same; there is a paradigm shift in the way we perceive it.

Kerala is known as ‘GODS OWN COUNTRY’ it is not merely the scenic beauty; it is the culture and unity among the people of the land.

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.

For us Malayalis

Onam is the state festival of Kerala which is celebrated by all Malayalees. In that story for us(MALAYALIS) Vamana is the villain and Mahabali is the hero, our King.

No Mahabali = No Onam

Relevance: Onam is For One & All

Onam is the festival that binds Malayalis.

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.

ONAM

Legends say Mahabali was a good-natured Asura king who cared deeply about his subjects. But soon, his influence transcended so much that the gods started worrying. They invoked Lord Vishnu who took the form of a diminutive brahmin ‘Vamana’ to diminish the king’s influence. Mahabali, who was a follower of Lord Vishnu, told Vamana the latter could ask three wishes of him.

Vamana asked for three paces of land. Growing into a monstrous size, Vamana covered the heavens in one step, the earth in the second. And when there was no space for the third foot, Mahabali offered him his head. Vamana graciously steps on Mahabali’s head, pushing him down into the netherworld, but blessing him at the same time. Vamana also allowed Mahabali the opportunity to visit his kingdom every year.

VAMANA JAYANTHI

Now that attempts are made to reverse the positions. Vamana is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu(Dashavathara concept in Hindu mythology) and people celebrate Vamana Jayanthi in his reverence.

But these two are not the same

(What is the difference between Vamana Jayathi and Onam?)

To make Onam Vamana Jayanthi means to to make villain(Vamana) the hero and hero(Mahabali) the villain.

The story they are presenting before us(Malayali’s) is to celebrate how Asura King Mahabali(the villain) was dethroned by Vamana.

Why They want to replace ONAM with VAMANA JAYATHI?

If Vamana Jayathi is celebrated; the secular character of Onam is lost. This will help BJP in reaching masses in Kerala.

In a way the story of Mahabali is repeated here.

Vamana’s mission was to over throw Mahabali. Amit Shah the modern day Vamana has come to step on the cultural identity of Kerala.

We are not ready to surrender before this Vamana (at least now). So the popular the Hash tag #PoMoneShaji :-)

Ciril J Thundiyil's answer to Why has BJP declared Asura King Mahabali of Onam festival as an anti-national in Kerala?

I don’t think Vamana Jayanthi be the final nail in the coffin of BJP.

We have won the battle, but the war is not yet over

They are infact succeeded to an extend. They have succeeded in creating a chaos within the state. Few Malayalis support VAMANA JAYANTHI; few got confused and don’t know which version is right.

Vamana will continue his attack on Mahabali and his people.

REQUEST

Kindly don’t bring the message of hatred to ‘GODS OWN COUNTRY’. We celebrate Christmas, Onam and Eeed. These are linked to religions but we just don’t care. We celebrate the way we want.

Kerala is not the only place where Mahabali is see as a hero Mahabalipuram

The name Mämalläpuram means "The land of the great wrestler" as the region was ruled by the Pallavan King Narsimhavarman during the 8th century who was known for his strength. The third name was and is still there is Mähäbalipuram meaning "The land of Mahabali". According to legends, he was the grandson of the devoted Prahlada.