Onam, also known as Thiru Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, was celebrated with festivity and fervor at the Nerul Ashram on Sunday, September 2. Onam is traditionally a ten-day festival celebrated in the month of Chingam as per the Malayalam almanac. The mythological story of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu and King Mahabali is intricately associated with the festival. According to legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the reign of King Mahabali.

The festivities at the Ashram began on a prayerful note with the chanting of the Ashtothram and the Lalita Sahasranamam. A short meditation session helped to permeate the air with devotional overtones. Br.Avyayamrita Chaitanya, the Mumbai Ashram in-charge, addressed the devotees present. In his talk, Swamiji conveyed Amma’s Onam message, wherein She has urged us all to “Be content with what you have and make each day an Onam.”

A captivating video film depicting Amma’s boundless compassion to the poor, the sick and the tsunami-affected, stirred the hearts of everyone present.

After the prayer session, all devotees were treated to the traditional Onasadya, a nine-course meal, served on banana leaves, with which the festivities came to a close.