Onam!....Oh Man!

Sept 15
The image to the left is the traditional Onam! feast that Suzie endured and i loved from yesterday - still picking food out my finger nails!

The melatonin-pepto bismal-paludrine-various alcohol cocktail seems to be kicking in. Dazed stagger to kitchen for brekkie is abruptly shattered by cook who appears from nowhere with a HAPPY Onam! - He had made us an Onam treat which i am too polite to decline. After being force fed fish egg surprise I spend some energy concentrating on not emptying the contents of my stomach, whilst appearing to enjoy the culinary delight that i cant seem to swallow.

Onam! is a festival that is only celebrated in Kerala. It originated as a joyous annual reminiscence of the golden rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king, who ruled Kerala a very long time ago. It recalls the sacrifice of the great king, his true devotion to God, his human pride and his ultimate redemption. This king once ruled over the Keralites during the Golden Age before caste existed, "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves".

Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with the festivities of Onam. Legend has it that the gods plotted against Mahabali to end his reign. For this they sent Lord Vishnu to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin. But before being trampled down to the netherworld, Vishnu granted the king's sole wish: To visit his land and people once every year.

Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden,all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is peculiar to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity, especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life's unlimited joys.

Yippee do! - it was nice spending the day on my own in the office! - note to self learn malayalam for Humbug!

Returned home to find the worlds biggest spider had taken up residence in my bathroom. Thought about kekking myself, but when he smiled at me I realised he only wanted me to take his picture, so here it is......(will sleep with the light on 2nite!)