Onam is an annual cultural festival, in the state of Kerala, India. It is the official festival of the state of Kerala.
Onam is celebrated in Kerala remembrance of the good governance under the rule of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala.
Onam is traditionally celebrated for 10 days beginning on the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam.
For this year, Onam festival is started from 30 August and this festival will end on 08 September 2022.
Mahabali was the great-great-grandson of a Brahmin sage named Kashyapa, the great-grandson of a demonic dictator, Hiranyakashipu, and the grandson of Vishnu devotee Prahlada.
Prahlada, despite being born to a demonic Asura father who hated Vishnu, rebelled against his father's persecution of people and worshipped Vishnu.
Hiranyakashipu tries to kill his son Prahlada, but is slain by Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar, Prahlada is saved.
Mahabali, came to power by defeating the gods and taking over the three worlds. After his victory over the gods, declared that he would perform a Yajna and grant anyone any request during the Yajna.
God Vishnu took his 5th avatar of a dwarf monk called Vamana and approached Mahabali. The king Mahabli offered to the boy anything whatever he wished.
The boy Vamana (Vishnu) said that one must not seek more than one needs, “Three Places of Land”, king Mahabli agreed.
Vamana grew to an enormous size and covered everything Mahabali ruled over in just two paces. For the third pace, Mahabali offered his head for Vishnu to step on.
May this auspicious occasion bring prosperity and fulfillment to your life. Happy Onam. May your life be blessed with love and laughter, heartfelt wishes this Thiruvonam.