Onam

Onam is the national festival of Kerala. Onam is also a harvest festival and is the most popular festival of Kerala and is celebrated during the month of August-September. The festival cherishes the memory of the legendary King Mahabali and his prosperous reign during which, perfect communal harmony and prosperity prevailed. It was a glorious period and people were happy. The King Mahabali's popularity was at its height and led to the envy of the Gods. He was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him, for King Mahabali was of the race of Demons. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. They requested Vishnu, the Preserver, in the Hindu trinity to act. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However Vishnu granded him the privilage to visit his subjects and check on their welfare once a year. Thus Onam is celebrated every year to welcome Mahabali, the good Demon King of Kerala.

Onam festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala in August or September. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made in front of the houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees, dance around the lamp, called Thiruvathirakali. In the afternoon a grand feast is prepared which is called Onasadya. The feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other. This includes rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasams or sweet dishes. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala.