The Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala holds a special place in the city’s history and culture since it is closely linked to the mythological figure of Mahabali, a benevolent demon king celebrated during Onam. According to legend, Mahabali visits Kerala once a year during Onam to see his beloved subjects.
The Onam Sadhya,which is a grand feast, is prepared to honour this occasion and celebrate his return. It is both a tribute to Mahabali and a manifestation of the community's gratitude and festivity. Situated within Ernakulam district, Thrikkakara is considered the region where it all began — where Vishnu, in his avatar as Vamana, visited King Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld, while also granting him the boon of being able to visit his kingdom once every year.
Thrikkakara is the only temple dedicated to Vishnu in his Vamana avatar, where there is also an idol of Mahabali. Moreover, there’s a notable tradition connected to Onam celebrations at Thrikkakara. Historically, the Chera kings would host month-long gatherings leading up to Thiruvonam at the Vamanamoorthy Temple, which all local rulers and chieftains were expected to attend. If they were unable to attend one year, the king ordered that the Onam festivities be celebrated in every household instead.
According to folklore, the Chera kings assembled all the local rulers and chieftains for an annual month-long gathering at the Vamana Moorthy Temple. The king asked every household to celebrate Onam festivities when they could not go to Thrikkakara. The Onam Sadhya at Thrikkakara Temple is particularly noteworthy. Although not as elaborate as the grand Onam feast, it features some of the most delectable Malayali dishes served on a plantain leaf, including sambar, kalan, and chena.
Onam, a ten-day harvest festival that began on August 20 with Atham, the festival's first day, culminates with a special celebration at the Vamana Moorthy Temple. The festivities commence on Uthradam day, the penultimate day, when devotees welcome the spirit of King Mahabali and enjoy a lavish meal known as Uthradasadya. The day starts with 'anayoottu,' the ceremonial feeding of elephants.
On the final day, the temple hosts the Onasadhya (Onam feast) in its expansive courtyard starting at 10 am. The feast features a variety of traditional dishes, including Rasam, and Injuthairu (ginger in curd), akin to 108 curries. Preparations for the Onam feast in homes around the temple begin on the ninth day of the festival.
At Thrikkakara, other Onam customs include setting up the Onathappan, a tall, four-faced pyramid made of red clay and adorned with rice batter, placed at the center of a flower arrangement or on a base of rice flour. The same clay is used to create replicas of traditional kitchen tools like grinding stones and coconut scrapers. In some parts of Kerala, there's a tradition of shooting a poovada with a mock bow and arrow before distributing the pieces.
On Thiruvonam, the festival’s final day, people light lamps in their homes and offer sadhya items to King Mahabali. The evolution of the Thrikkakara Onam celebration from a month-long event to a ten-day festival is tied to folklore about a Brahmin who was cursed after being wrongly accused of stealing a bunch of golden plantains.