Onam is the state festival of Kerala and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal throughout the State, irrespective of caste, creed and community. It is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali spirit is said to visit the area at the time of Onam. The festival is marked by great celebrations including intricate rituals, large celebrations, songs, dances, games and exhibitions. It is also known as the harvest festival of the state and celebrated the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kølla Varsham) called ‘Chingam’. This month, fell in August-September in the Gregorian calendar and Bhadrapada or Bhadon according to the Indian (Hindu) Calendar.Onam is an ancient festival that still survives in modern times. Kerala’s rice harvest festival and the festival of flowers rain that fell on the Malayalam month Chingam celebrated the annual visits from pathalam of the most precious Demon King Maveli. Onam is unique, as the king Maveli is regarded by the people of Kerala from ancient times.He was the very highly respected among the problems which even the gods in Indra became jealous of Mahabali, approached the Mahavishnu claims that Mahabali now corresponds to an Indra. As a world with two Indra represents the imbalance, Mahavishnu assumed the form of a dwarf, the Vamana Avatar and lured him to Pathalam, the underworld. But that Mahabali equivalent Indra, he must wait until the next Yuga, where he would be the Indra.It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People including children celebrate the festival in a big way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.Video:
