Onam is one of the most colourful festivals celebrated in the extreme southwest of India, in the state of Kerala. It occurs towards the end of Aug and beginning of Sept depending upon the almanac. People become crazy feasting, singing, dancing all the ten days of the festival.

The festival is special in many ways. It is a Hindu festival but all other religious communities join the celebrations. Every street is decorated with green mango leaves with festoons and flags. Legends and traditions speak volumes about this festival.

During these days foreign tourists come to watch Onam celebrations and they take keen interest in the boat races and other sports and games. Special boats are built for this occasion to mark the event. They are seen during races meandering like snakes.

Young men and women perform unique dances like kolattam, Kathakali wearing masks. It is said that the occasion is to welcome their Great king Mahabali a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was the last demon kings left. He was very ambitious and was aiming to capture the celestial Kingdom.

The angels in Heaven were upset and in answer to their prayers Lord Vishnu came down to the earth to punish Mahabali.   Mahabali is known for his charity and people never heard ‘no’ from his mouth. Vishnu came in human form as vamana (dwarf) and approached the King for land that he would take measuring with his foot.

Mahabali  was very happy and  requested vamana to measure and take the land. Vamana placed the first step and it measured the entire earth, another he placed it on  space. When there was nothing left, Mahabali offered his head. The force of the step pushed him to the Netherland where he remained the rest of his life. Later he was liberated.

He took a promise from Lord Vishnu that once he should be allowed to visit his kingdom and was granted. It is during this period Onam is celebrated to welcome their King. The procession taken to welcome their King is a feast to the eyes with elephants in front garlanded, with men dressed as tigers marching behind elephants.  

Music and dance by men and women make the show most attractive and entertaining. Houses on either side of the streets presented the grandeur of the state with plantain trees standing at the doors of the house acting as pillars. The roofs and doors are covered with  rows  of  flowers presenting  an atmosphere of joy everywhere.

Onam is known for the variety of food served with rare delicacies served to every visitor on banana leaves. Many foreign visitors enjoyed joining them. It is an event that occurs every year with unforgettable togetherness exhibited by the great people of this great nation in the state of Kerala.