Onam ஓணம்

Every year

About the festival

Onam is a ten-day harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated mainly by Malayalis in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September).^1,2

In popular tradition it marks the annual return of the legendary King Mahabali to visit his people.^1,2

Customs include floral carpets (pookalam), the Onasadya feast of many vegetarian dishes on a banana leaf, boat races (vallamkali), and performances such as Pulikali and Thiruvathira.^1,2

When it falls: Onam festivities begin on the day of the Atham asterism in Chingam and continue until the day of the Thiruvonam asterism, when the Onam Sadya feast is held.^1,2

Sources

1. britannica.com
2. keralatourism.org