On 10 March 2010 Wednesday morning 7 am I visited the Vamana temple at Cochin. This temple is famous for the Vamana Avatar of Sri Maha Vishnu and the great grand celebrations of the Cochin ONUM festival is organised by this temple committee. It is about 2 kms from NPOL Guest House where I stayed during my visit 7 to 10 March 2010.
Some interesting rituals related to Onam at Thrikkakara temple in Ernakulam are famous. This temple, is dedicated to Vamanamoorthy, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Vamana has a prominent role in the legends associated with Onam. It was he who requested Mahabali, the generous king who ruled Kerala for three steps of land. On receiving the nod, The festival spirit of Onam is in the air,
According to myths, Mahabali or Maveli was a generous and virtuous ruler, who had once ruled Kerala. Under him, the state attained remarkable property that excelled even the heavens. The Devas (gods) could not agree to it since King Mahabali was by birth an Asura (demon), who were the enemies of the Devas. So, they sent Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, a dwarf to Mahabali. Vamana requested Mahabali for three steps of land. On receiving the nod, Vamana grew so huge that he covered all the worlds in two steps. Since he had no space to place the third step, Mahabali offered his head for the third step. Vamana blessed Bali before he was sent to the Pathala Loka and granted him boon to visit his rajya and praja once in every year. This occasion is celebrated as Onam. This temple dedicated to Vamana and is one of those rare temples in the state where Onam festival is celebrated in a grand scale.
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