What is onam and where is it celebrated ?

Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated
with  great enthusiasm throughout
Kerala between August and
September.
Onam is the most popular festival of
Kerala (a southern coastal state of
India). This is a Hindu festival,
celebrated with great enthusiasm
throughout Kerala for a period of ten
days. Every year this festival falls on
the Malayalam month of Chingam -
between August and September and
also known as the harvest festival of
Kerala.
Onam is one of the most ancient
Hindu festivals which is still celebrated
with great devotion. Onam marks
the homecoming of King Mahabali, a
legendary king, who ruled Kerala in
ancient times. That period was
believed to be the golden age of
Karala, people were happy, free from
harm and complete harmony and
prosperity was there. This golden age
ended when Vamana (an avatar of
Lord Vishnu)
pushed King Mahabali, deep into the
earth. Satisfied by Mahabali’s honesty
and generosity, the lord granted him a
wish that he can visit his kingdom and
dear subjects once in a year.Onam is the most important festival in
Kerala and people of Kerala start
preparing for Onam days ahead.
Although the festivities for Onam last
for ten days the two most important
days of the festival are the first day
and the last or the tenth day.
The first day or Atham is considered
as an auspicious day by the people of
Kerala as it marks the beginning of
Onam. The most important feature of
this day is the making of pookalam
(floral carpet) which is made by the
girls of the house while the boys
gather fresh flowers required to make
a pookalam. Thiruonam or the tenth day of Onam
is considered as the big day when
entire Kerala is decked up with fresh
flowers and everyone wishes each
other ‘Thiruonam Aashamsakal’ which
translated means Onam wishes to
everyone. The most important feature of Onam
celebrations is a grand feast known as
Onasadya that is prepared on
Thiruonam which is the important day
of celebrations. The feast is essentially
a nine course meal featuring 11 to 13
dishes and is traditionally served on a
banana leaf.
Kathakali performances and boat
races - locally known as vallamkali -
are also permanent fixtures during
the Onam celebrations. The towns of
Kottayam and Aranmulai are, in
particular, famed for their Onam boat
races.