Onam is the state festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state irrespective of caste, creed and community. It is celebrated in order to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali who is said to visit the place at the time of Onam. The festival is marked with wonderful celebrations including intricate rituals, grand feast, songs, dance, games and fairs. It is also known as the harvest festival of the state and is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called ‘Chinga masam’.
Onam is celebrated over ten days; it comes to an end with the grand celebrations on the tenth day called ‘Thiruvonam’. Onam celebrations start from the day of Atham and culminate on Thiruvonam. At some places the celebrations are extend to twelve days called as ‘Chatayam’. However, Atham and Thiru Onam are the most important days for Onam celebrations. Thiruvonam actually corresponds to the Shravan day in the month of August or September and that is why it is also known as Sravanotsavam.
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