Local Keralic ONAM & ancient vedic Vaamana-jayanthi. - Is it one and the same festival??

Answer 1

Both are different.

In Bagavatham, u can read the story of vamana bagawan, from the time he was born to a Brahmin couple as an answer to their prayers till he comes to the place where mahabali is performing the Yagya.

vamana jayanthi is the day when Vamana was born to the Brahmin couple as a son.

Onam is the day when Mahabali requested Vamana, that he should return to his country to see his people.

There is a sect of people in west India ( a small sect) who celebrate Diwali as the Day when Mahabali was pushed down into the earth.

All the three festivals are related but different.

Answer 2

Onam and Vamana Jayanthi are different, for both occasions / festivals King Bali is associated.

Vamana Jayanthi is to celebrate the appearance of Lord Vamanadeva. This year it is falling day after tomorrow i.e 24th September, 2007. Iskcon and some Vaishnava temples celebrate this.

The legend of Bhagavata has it that the Vamana avatar was taken by Vishnu to restore Indra's authority over the heavens, which was taken away by force by the demon king Bali. Vamana in the disguise of a short Brahmin, carrying a wooden umbrella requested three steps of land for him to live in. Given a promise of three steps of Land by King Bali against the warning given by his Guru Sukracharya, Vamana, The Supreme God grows so huge that he could cover from heaven to earth, earth to lower worlds in two simple steps. King Bali unable to fulfil the promise of three paces of Land to the Supreme God, offers his head for the third step. Thus Vamana places his third step on King Bali's head and gives him immortality for his benevolence.--

ONAM -is celebrated in the month of 'Chingam' (usually ending of August and beginning of September) according to Malayalee Hindu calender. Onam festival is celebrated in the memory of popular King Mahabali, who according to a popular belief visits his subjects on this day.-

Answer 3

It sounds the same to me.