Onam is the harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, located at the southern tip of India. It usually falls during the months of August or September and is in remembrance of the legendary King Mahabali.

The festival is an integral part of Kerala's tradition and culture and the celebrations lasts for ten days. The major celebrations include intricate designs of flowers, luxurious vegetarian food, exciting snake boat races and the traditional kaikottikali dance, where girls dance harmoniously clapping the hands to the music.

According to legend, during the reign of King Mahabali, the kingdom of Kerala was most prosperous and the subjects were happy and revered their king. The gods became envious of the king and punished him by banishing him to the underworld. But for all his good deeds, he was granted an annual visit to the kingdom, this visit is celebrated as the festival of Onam.

The front yard of every house will be decorated with an elaborately designed beautiful flower mat. Onam celebrations also include the enchanting Snake Boat Race, where long boats which are beautifully decorated race. Each boat will be oared by about a hundred boatmen.

The major element of the Onam celebrations is the delicious nine course vegetarian feast called Onasadya which is served on banana leaves and consumed by sitting on a mat on the floor.

Despite its Hindu origin, every community of the state celebrates Onam. Onam is a part of the traditional as well as modern culture of Kerala.