The Legend of Onam

September 12th was Onam, a holiday in the state of Kerala (known for beautiful beaches and ayurvedic health treatments, Kerala is in the south west of India). Here in Tamil Nadu, we didn't have the day off work, but we did go to lunch and have traditional Onam foods.

Onam is an ancient harvest festival that celebrates a mythical leader of Kerala, King Mahabali. There are many versions of the legend (see here and here for a few), but as near as I can tell, it goes something like this:

In Kerala, there once lived a wise, generous demon king named Mahabali. A worshipper of Lord Vishnu, Mahabali was loved by his subjects and brought a golden age of happiness and prosperity to Kerala.

However, the gods were jealous of the popularity of Mahabali and sought help from Lord Vishnu. Vishnu took the form of a poor priestly dwarf (some say boy) called Vamana and went to Mahabali just after his morning prayers. The king was impressed by the priest and promised to give him anything that he desired. Sensing that this was no ordinary priest, an advisor to the king tried to persuade him to renege on his promise and send the dwarf away. However, Mahabali had made an oath and would not break it. He told his advisor: "I am prepared to face any consequence but will not go back on my word."

Vamana asked for as much land as he could cover in three steps and Mahabali agreed. Suddenly, Vamana grew to a massive size. With his first step, he covered the whole sky and with his next, he covered the whole earth. Fearing that the third step would destroy all of creation, King Mahabali asked that the third step be placed on his head.

Vishnu complied, placing his third step on the king's head and pushing him into the underworld (Mahabali means great sacrifice). Because of his deep attachment to his people, King Mahabali was permitted to visit the people of Kerala once each year. The annual visit of the king is celebrated during Onam when each family places elaborate designs, often made of flowers, in front of their house to welcome him. Some legends also say that Mahabali was promised that he would rule the earth in a future age.

When I first heard the story of Onam I was perplexed. My Western, overly logical mind couldn't reconcile the many contradictions in the story. Demons are by definition bad; how could a demon king be good and beloved by his people? How could gods be jealous of an earthly ruler and why would they want to depose a good king? How could a just god punish a righteous king who was intent on keeping his promise at all costs and willing to sacrifice himself for his people? It seemed a very irrational story.

However, I've since come to appreciate the legend of Mahabali a great deal. I now see it as a powerful story of doing what is right despite the consequences. It exemplifies a willingness to accept what God gives even if it appears that we are being punished for righteous behavior. Even more profound, in the story of a devil who became a great king, always to be remembered by his people, I find hope that I also can overcome the demons within and perhaps someday be remembered as a force for good. Perhaps there is a little of Mahabali in each of us; both demon and god in embryo.


A traditional Onam welcome to King Mahabali, made out of flower petals, outside of IFMR.


I'm not sure how long they spent on this, but it must have taken hours.