Home

CULTURE & FESTIVALS

ONAM - FLORAL FESTIVAL OF KERELA

KING MAHABALI - Tales in Indian Mythology

MAHABALI was a legendary King who loved his people very dearly.The Gods feared that one day, he might rule the Heavens. So, they sent Lord Vishnu down to the earth disguised as a Dwarf. He asked for the land to be covered in three steps for which, the kind King Mahabali gave his consent. Little did he know that the Dwarf was none other than Lord Vishnu himself. In one giant leap, Lord Vishnu covered the earth, in another step, he covered heavens and finally asked King Mahabali "Where should I place my third Step?" The humble king replied "You may put your third step on my head". Lord Vishnu was happy and told the King to ask for a boon before he is sent to another world. King Mahabali was fond of his subjects and so he asked a boon that every year, he wished to visit his people and see them happy. Hence, his boon was granted. Hence, Every year Onam Festival, the people have faith in their Legendary King Mahabali and believes that he comes down to earth. They welcome him with floral designs and scatter flowers all over. The end of the monsoon brings the blue skies with Onam Festival and snake boat races are held in kerela. Many a fairs take place and people enjoy and celebrate Onam - The beginning of a new year with hope, peace and joy in their hearts.

Festival of Flower Decoration

The Onam Festival is celebrated in Kerela, India with Flower Decorations. Every year, women and children decorate the floor with floral designs. The people welcome the legendary King Mahabali during the festival of Onam and flower petals and colors are used to make patterns like Rangoli (again a traditional floral design with colors) Kidsfreesouls dives into the fragrance of flowers and what they mean!

Flower symbolises its use as national and religious symbols and to convey human sentiments. Floral symbols were used extensively in the writings and inscriptions. The Old Testament, for example, contains many allusions to flowers, notably in the Song of Solomon. In ancient Egypt, the Lotus or sacred Water Lily was frequently represented. It was associated with the life-giving power of the Nile River and with Osiris, Lord of the Dead. The Indian Lotus was sacred to the Hindus, who believed that God Brahma had been born in it. In the art of both Hinduism and Buddhism, the deities are frequently represented seated on the Lotus throne. In ancient Greece, the laurel was sacred to God Apollo, laurel wreaths were awarded to poets; the oak leaves were bestowed upon victorious generals. Great symbolism has been attached to the rose. In Rome, it is signified secrecy; conversations carried on at a council or banqueting table were supposed to be in confidence. In Islamic tradition, white roses fell from the sweat of Muhammad on his way to heaven.

Flowers have been adopted by noble families and emblazoned on their coats of arms and by countries, cities and also by many individual states in Countries as official emblems. The golden Chrysanthemum, native to eastern Asia, is the symbol of Japan and the Imperial family. In France, the fleur-de-lis, a conventionalized representation of an Iris, was adopted as the royal emblem by King Louis VI in 1108. In England, the house of Lancaster, whose symbolic emblem was a red rose, and the house of York, symbolized by a white rose, battled for the crown in the Wars of the Roses (14555-1458).

The Greeks were the first to develop a language of flowers known as florigraphy. Over the centuries, in western civilization, flower language became extensive. Many different species according to their properties were associated with a wide range of human emotions, conditions, events or ideas. The plays of English playwright William Shakespeare are a great source of traditional flower language. In Hamlet, for eg. Ophelia describes the significance of the flowers she carries. Pansies stand for Thought, Rosemary for Remembrance and rue, or herb of grace, alludes to the flower's use in the sprinkling of holy water. Flower language was particularly popular in the 19th century in Europe and the United States as part of then Fashional cult of sentimentality. Bouquets of flowers are given on specific occassions like birthdays, anniversaries, marriage, etc.

SAY WITH FLOWERS...

Religious beliefs or Spiritual Interaction holyfaith@hotmail.com