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Onam or Thiruvonam, the harvest and national festival of Kerala is celebrated annually in the first Malayalam month of Chingom (August-September) in an outstanding manner for ten days. Onam is basically the harvest fiesta of the Malayalees and is mythically related to the Malayalee-Hindu legends. Onam symbolizes the vitality and exuberance of the spring season. It is observed with conventional fervidness by arranging colorful blossoms for pookalam, visiting temples, gifting new clothes (Onakkodi) to everybody, feasting on 'avial', 'pappadum' and 'payasams' on plantain leaves and indulging in elating boat races in the azure backwaters, sports and other cultural activities like `Oonjalattom, Thiruvathirakali and so on. Onam is the most colourful and the chief festival of Kerala which is celebrated by almost all people irrespective of caste and creed and community.

The origin of Onam can be traced back to an interesting and unusual legend of an asura named Mahabali. According to this legend Mahabali, the asura king also fondly called Maveli or Onathappan was loved and adored by all his subjects because of his virtuous character. His reign was marked by harmony and parity and was considered as the Golden Age in the history of Kerala. However this prosperous period ended abruptly when Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu, send him to perdition to please the jealous Gods. So great was the king that he asked for a favor to visit his beloved subjects once a year. It is this occasion of Mahabali's annual visit to Kerala from the infernal region that is celebrated as Onam or Thiruvonam in the tenth day in the month of Chingom. A pompous welcome is prepared everywhere for this annual visit by setting carpets of flowers everywhere.

The observance of Onam as a national festival was initiated by the Government in Kerala in 1961. The festival of Onam commences formally on the day of Atham asterism which falls ten days ahead of the Thiruvonam asterism.

In the front courtyard of the house a stunningly beautiful pattern is created by multi- colored flowers known as Athapoovu or pookalam for ten days from Atham to Thiruvonam and the clay-made image of Thrikkakkara Appan is placed in the centre. A lamp is sometimes added to beautify this floral adornment. Sometimes competitions are organized on this Onam day and best artistic floral designs are awarded.

On the early morning of Thiruvonam day, everybody offers worship in temples after taking a bath and draping themselves in colorful garments. The significant part of this festival is onakkodi, i.e. wearing new clothes. The head of the family gifts apparels to the, tenants, junior members and servants and this is known as (Onapudava).

Thiruvonam is also the time for family get- together, community feasting and a variety of cultural occasions.

Another attractive element of Onam is the Onam Sadhya or the intricate feast of sumptuous delicacies served on banana or plantain leaves. This include an assortment of items such as avial , pappadum and payasam-a sweet dish made of milk,sugar or jaggery and other savories. Rice is served at least with four different items.

After the grand feast among family members and relatives, the Keralites indulge in exciting indoor and outdoor sports and cultural activities.

Vallomkali is one such event during Onam, where exhilarating racing of snake boats known as chundan volloms take place in the backwaters of Kottayam, Aranmula and Champakulam and Alleppey. These boats are rowed by about a hundred oars-men from local neighboring villages who row rhythmically to the beats of cymbals and drums. These elating boat races attract about thousands of tourists from all over the country and the world. Kaikottikkali is a unique folk dance form performed by clapping of hands by the Keralite women during Onam. Women also spend a gala through cultural activities like`Oonjalattom, 'onathullu' and reving the age-old folklores of various regions of the state.

Pulikkali (meaning tiger dance) is performed by men by painting their bodies with yellow and black and dancing and somersaulting on the streets. They also visit houses wearing tiger masks and imitate the activities of tigers and are awarded with gifts for such performances.

In some regions of Kerala such as Trichur, vivacious processions along with splendidly barded elephants are taken out in the streets with the accompaniment of drummers.

Bullock- racing, in which a pair of bullocks is made made to run at a breath-taking speed, is another enlivening and thrilling event that is a part of Onam celebration.

Thus Onam is celebrated in Kerala with great éclat.