Onam
The Festival of all Malayalis (Keralites)
Every year, when the 'monsoon rains' stop in the 2nd half of
August, the people of Kerala celebrate Onam. It is the the
Harvest Festival (like 'Thanksgiving') and people honor
King Mahabali
, a mythological king of ancient Kerala, whose reign was
reckoned as a golden age in history. It is believed that King Mahabali returns to Kerala on
the day of 'Thiruvonam', the 10th day in the month of 'Chingam',
( first Malayalam month, August-September) to visit his
people. His visit is celebrated as Onam
which coincides with the harvest season in Kerala.
