Onam is the state festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state irrespective of caste, creed and community. It is celebrated in order to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali who is said to visit the place at the time of Onam. The festival is marked with wonderful celebrations including intricate rituals, grand feast, songs, dance, games and fairs. It is also known as the harvest festival of the state and is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called ‘Chingam’. This month falls in August-September according to the Gregorian calendar and in Bhadrapada or Bhadon according to the Indian (Hindu) Calendar.

Onam 2011: 09 September.

When is Onam 2011?
Onam 2011 is on September 9, Friday

Significance of Onam Day in Mythology
The dayof Onam is decided in accordance with the legend of King Mahabali in whose honor Onam is celebrated. People believe that it was this particular day in the month of Chingam when Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vaamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to nether world.

Onam - the state festival of Kerala – is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festive season of Onam, which falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam, every year (between August and September), is a ten-day carnival for the Malayalees all over the state, country and abroad. Being a harvest festival, it is time to thank God for the bountiful yield. According to the stories in Hindu epics, Mahabali, the legendary King of Kerala, visits the state every year during the Onam festival, to ensure the wellbeing of the people. He is welcomed to his kingdom with reverence. The festival is all about relishing on the grand Onasadya (traditional feast of Onam), shopping, family reunion and welcoming King Mahabali by spreading good cheer.