Onam is the traditional harvest festival of Kerala.The festival is also celebrated to commemorate the legend of Mahabali, the Asura king, whose pride was humbled by Lord Vishnu in His Vamana avatar. The story goes that during Mahabali’s reign, his subjects lived a life of abundance and contentment, lacking nothing. It is believed that once a year, on Tiruvonam day, the benevolent king visits his kingdom to be reassured of his subjects’well-being.
Devotees from all parts of the city arrived at Nerul Ashram on Sunday, 7th September to be part of the Onam celebrations. The morning program included the chanting of the Ashtothram and the Lalita Sahasranama Stotram, and a couple of bhajans. This was followed by a talk session by Br. Avyayamrita Chaitanya, who spoke of the legend behind the celebration of the festival. He also stressed upon the need to inculcate values in children from an early age, so as to retain our indigenous culture and tradition.
The Maha Arati was performed after which a delectable ‘Onasadhya’ (Onam lunch) was served to all the devotees. The day concluded with a bhajan session in the evening.
