Onam is the most revered and celebrated festival of Kerala. It is a symbol of King Mahabali’s annual home-coming as well as celebrates the Vaman avatar of Lord Vishnu. This ten-day long festival brings in the best of festive spirit among the people of Kerala and is celebrated with much splendor among the south-Indians. First Onam is on August 30, Sunday, Thiruvonam 2020 will be celebrated on August 31, Monday. Third and Fourth Onam falls on September 01, Tuesday and September 02, Wednesday respectively.

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Onam is celebrated on the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatram in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam. If one follows old traditions and honor the adage 'Atham 10 Onam', Onam starts from Atham (Hasta) Nakshatram, the first day of Onam ends on Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatram - the most important day of Onam festivities, thus making it a 10-day celebration. On the English calendar, Onam usually falls in late August or early September. 

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According to mythology, King Mahabali was the greatest king of Kerala and it was during his reign that the local people saw the best of times; prosperity and grandeur ruled everywhere. To end Mahabali’s rule on earth, Lord Vishnu emerged as a Vaman (short Brahmin) and tricked the King to give him whatever land he had. Thereby, King Mahabali was sent to a lower world; but Vishnu also granted him a boon that he could visit his land once every year. Onam celebrates this home-coming of the King.

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