Onam: (Malayalam: ഓണം) is an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calender, (August - September as per the Gregorian calendar) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are centered on worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. Though it is essentially a harvest festival of Malayalees, mythologically it is linked to Malayalee-Hindu folktales. Like many other religious festivals in India, Onam is celebrated by people of all religions.
