Happy Onam to All!
Celebrating the rice harvest, Onam is one of the three primary Hindu celebrations from Kerala, southern state of India, along with Vishu and Thiruvathira.
The legend goes that King Mahabali
brought forth a golden era during his reign over Kerala. Despite his ego, he passed a test set forth by Vishnu, proving his devotion to his people and lands, and so he is allowed to visit Kerala again once every year. Onam celebrates Mahabali’s annual homecoming through a ten-day festival that includes a variety of traditions such as Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Onathallu (martial arts), and a nine-course vegetarian feast called Onasadya on the last day.
