There is no specified period in history where Onam as a festival began to be celebrated in the geographical region now forming modern day Kerala. In fact the origin of the word ‘Onam’ has not yet been discovered. Today it is taken for granted that the following version for the origin of Onam is the socially accepted version-
There lived an Asura king by the name of Bali, much loved by the citizens of his kingdom. So great was his prowess that he was able to conquer even Heaven-the kingdom of the Devas. Naturally the Devas were much agitated and they requested Lord Vishnu to intervene and restore their kingdom from the hands of Bali. Lord Vishnu decided to descend to Earth in the form of the Brahmin dwarf/boy Vamana.
After some time Bali was conducting a ritual with the help of his guru Shukracharya. Amidst the gathering there arrived a Brahmin dwarf/boy who was none other Vamana. Now it was the practice of kings to present gifts to Brahmins who happened to be present during such rituals. Bali therefore asked Vamana what gift would he like.
Vamana’s reply was that he needed the land that is covered by only three footsteps. Shukracharya realizing the danger behind such a ‘tiny’ request warned Bali against granting the gift to Vamana. However being a man of his word Bali accepted to grant Vamana the same.
Suddenly Vamana grew into a giant of enormous proportions and with his first footstep covered the entire Earth. With his second step he covered Heaven. Now there was nowhere to place his third step! Bali realizing that he had lost his entire kingdom on Earth and Heaven placed his head before Vamana to put his third and final footstep.
And thus with his third and final footstep Vamana send Bali to the Netherworld. Though Bali’s ‘great sacrifice’ makes him Maha-Bali he requested Vishnu and got a favour in return-the chance to visit his kingdom and his people atleast once a year.
This ‘chance’ is now celebrated as Onam.
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