Onam is celebrated primarily as a harvest festival in Kerala, India, marking the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest period. Culturally and mythologically, it commemorates the annual homecoming of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali, who was banished to the netherworld by the avatar Vamana (an incarnation of Vishnu). According to legend, Vishnu granted Mahabali a boon to visit his kingdom once a year, and Onam celebrates this visit, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and unity among people.
The festival spans ten days with various cultural events, traditional feasts called Onasadya, floral decorations (Pookalams), dances, and performances, reflecting Kerala's rich heritage and social inclusivity.
