Onam Celebrations Start Today

Onam is one of the main festivals celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also known as the harvest festival. People celebrate Onam to express thankfulness to the land for giving a good harvest. It is celebrated by Hindus between August to September. This year, Onam falls on August 29. 

Onam celebrations last for 10 days. During this period, people decorate their houses with different coloured flowers, gift new clothes to family members and relatives, prepare many different vegetarian dishes and visit nearby temples. The Snake Boat Race or Vallam Kali, is a popular attraction of the Onam festival. Many types of longboats participate in the race and compete with one another. 

The celebration of Onam is associated with Hindu mythology. It is believed that people started celebrating Onam to welcome back the demon king Mahabali, from the netherworld. Mahabali was sent away to the netherworld by one of Lord Vishnu’s avatars called Vamana. Mahabali is said to return only during Onam.