Onam is one of the most prominent among the festivals celebrated in the state of Kerala. It is celebrated for a period of ten days in the state. On the Malabar Coast, as the month of August nears its end, the monsoon rains are ceasing and the humid heat of midsummer gives way to the pleasant warmth of Keralan autumn, though there is no flaming fall of leaves to mark the change of seasons in a land always and abundantly green. This is the first month of the traditional year in Kerala, the month of Chingam, when the main harvest is gathered in the coastal paddies and in the narrow valleys snaking up between the burning foothills of red laterite towards the Western Ghats. It is the month for the celebration of Onam the principal festival of the Malayan`s, as the people of Kerala call themselves.

Legends of Onam
Onam is the festival of great fertility rite of the year, the observance of gratitude for the never-failing tropical fruits, while it is also a festival which re-enacts one of the major legends of the state, the return of the great King Mahabali from the underworld to see his subjects. On the eve of Thiru Onam, the second day of the festival, ziggurat-like structures of flowers are placed in the entrances to Keralan houses; these are intended to welcome, on his annual return the following morning from the underworld, the legendary king Mahabali, who reigned over the state of Kerala in the golden age before caste existed, when all men were equal no man was poor, and there was neither theft nor dread of thieves. The whole perspective of this ancient legend has changed in the state of Kerala, for Bali becomes Mahabali, the Great Bali, who ruled the state so well that he aroused the jealousy rather than the fear of the gods, and who gave up his kingdom, not because he was the victim of a trick, but because he was so generous that he could not refuse a request and too honourable not to fulfil a promise.

Celebrations for Onam
The people of the state of Kerala prepare for the festival of Onam by arrange for this festival by tidying up their houses and beautifying or decorating them. On the special day, each and every member of the family wears new clothes. These people wear new clothes and visit as much temples as they can and take part in lots of dance including Thumbi Tullal, Thiruvathira kali, etc. which are some of the few and the major thing in this festival is the grant lunch which these people will be having on the Thiuruvonam day, which is also known as the Fourth Onam. Come what may; the Keralites will not miss the Grant lunch. A saying is there in Malayalam; "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" meaning, `We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties`. Such is the degree of importance given by the people of Kerala to the Thiruonam day lunch. Very tasty sweets and dishes are made and are presented on the banana leaves. `Pookalam` is the name of a flower mat which is seen outside the house of every Keralite. The flower mat is a symbol of welcome for the great king Mahabali. In this festival, traditional rituals are also executed and the people enjoy the occasion with lots of glory. `Payasam` is the name of a sweet and tempting porridge is the preferred dessert served in the festival of Onam.

There is a procession of colourful elephants, which is carried out in Trichur in order to mark this festival of Kerala. `Vallamkali` is the name of a famous boat race which is one of the major attractions of the Onam festival. In the boat race, more than hundreds of men row the boats accompanied by the beating of cymbals and drums. A prominent thing which is noticed is that above each and every boat there`s a scarlet-coloured silk umbrella and some gold coins hanging from the umbrella. The race is very popular where several boats compete with each other in order to win the race.

The beauty and importance of the festival of Onam lies in its fabric of secularism. This Kerala festival is not only the major moment of celebration of the Hindus but the Muslims and Christians also take part in it actively. It is one of the Indian festivals which bring together all the masses irrespective of their caster and creed. Festival of Onam forms an atmosphere of brotherhood and peace by the organization of several team sports on the day. It is regarded as the passion of the people living in Kerala and also the pride of India.