Athulya Shreejit Nair
Auckland, August 14, 2021
Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam set to create a new benchmark on September 4
Onam is a harvest festival of Kerala that occurs during August or September.
It is the main festival for Keralites and is celebrated across the world to honour the kind-hearted and much-beloved King Mahabali, who is believed to return to our State during to see his people.
Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam (AMHS) is celebrating Onam this year on September 4 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland.
Tickets, priced at $25 per adult and $18 per child aged between 5 and 12 years are on sale at our Samajam website (www.amhs.org.nz), with payment facilitated by POLI and PayPal.
Each ticket includes a sumptuous traditional Kerala style Vegetarian Sadya (Lunch) with more than 24 items and a chance to witness fantastic traditional Kerala cultural dances and other items. The Sadya prepared and served by Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam is famous in for its authenticity and eagerly awaited by people.
Ministers, MPs and others are expected to attend our Onam Festival.
Auspicious beginning
The celebrations will begin at 10 am with a traditional Maha Vishnu Pooja conducted by Papakura Sri Ganesh Temple Chief Priest Parameswaran (Chandru).
According to Vishnu Puran, Lord Maha Vishnu took the form Vamana, a diminutive man to help the Devas gain victory over Mahabali, by sending him to Patalaloka (the Underworld). Another legend states that Lord Vishnu took the Parasuram Avatar and threw his axe into the sea, creating the State of Kerala.
The Pooja will be followed by competitions and celebrations.
A traditional Kerala dance at Onam
The main celebration of Onam will be Pookkalam (Flower Carpet). The traditional ritual of arranging flowers starts on Atham day, following which Onam is celebrated for ten days until Thiruvonam.
AMHS will conduct Pookala Matsaram (Floral Design Competition) after the Pooja.
Participants will form groups and design the flower carpet and decorate it with flowers. Winners will be announced later in the day. The Samajam is also planning other traditional competitions like Vadamvali (Tug-of-War).
The Onam Sadhya
Onam Sadhya will be served from 11.30 am to 2 pm.
This is another integral part of Thiruvonam, reflecting the spirit of the harvest season and is traditionally made with seasonal vegetables. The feast is served on plantain leaves and consists of nine courses that include over two dozen dishes. The Sadhya ends with a series of dessert called Payasam (a dish made of milk, sugar, jaggery, and other traditional Indian items) eaten directly or mixed with ripe small plantain. The curries are served with rice, usually the ‘Kerala Matta’ parboiled rice preferred in Kerala.
Kaikottikali at Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam festivities
A variety of cultural programmes will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm showcasing traditional Kerala dances such as Pulikali (Tiger Dance), Thiruvathiraikali (or Kaikottikali) and Mohiniyattam.
Among the highlights of the programme will be the appearance of ‘Mahabali,’ who will be accorded a rapturous welcome by groups of women in traditional Kerala attire dancing in a circle.
Their graceful movements will be enchanting and elegant. The white sarees with colourful borders along with fresh jasmines adorning their hair make for a wonderful sight.
Mohiniyattam, literally interpreted as the dance of ’Mohini,’ the celestial enchantress of Hindu mythology, is a classical dance form of Kerala.
Onam Sadhya, a highlight of Onam (Photo Courtesy: Hindustan Times)
According to Vishnu Puran, Lord Vishnu took on the form of ‘Mohini’ to seduce the Asuras to deny them the Amrut that emerged from the Ocean and to vanquish Bhasmasura.
Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam invites all New Zealanders to be a part of this event that highlights the culture, costume, cuisine and hospitality of the beautiful state of Kerala. Athulya Shreejit Nair is a former member of the Executive Committee of Auckland Malayali Hindu Samajam. She is one of the Coordinators of the Onam Festival 2021.
