Onam is the most popular festival in the state of kerala. Onam celebrated predominantly by the Hindus of kerala.It is celebrated with joy and   happiness  aall over the state by malayalees regardless of religion, cast or creed.According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome  kking Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala in the time of onam.                      Onam is a 10 days long festival  ccelebrated in the beggining of the month of the malayalam  calendar .This  ccorresponds with the  aAugust  to September according  to Gregorian calendar.   On the 10 days  , the 1st day Atham and the 10th day Thiruvonam are most important  to all.These 10 days it represents a remarkable and amazing display of the culture and beauty of kerala. Beautiful designed pookkalam, onasadhya, is the most important and remarkable festivities at onam.               Onam story is connected with king Mahabali and Vamana avatar.  IIn other words, onam story revolves around Mahabali and vamana avatar. Mahabali , the grand son of Prahalada, was a strong and learned  kking who respected knowledge. Once, Mahabali was performing  aa yagna , when a short, young,radiant boy entered  the yagnashala . Mahabali, was thecustom,welcomed this radiant youngester and asked him what he wanted. The young boy requested  for that much space, as could be measured by three footsteps of his.                                 Mahabali  aagreed at once tot his guru Shukracharya who cautioned him that the guest was none other than Lord Vishnu Himself.As the legend goes, no sooner were the three footsteps granted, the young  Vamana assumed a gigantic form known  aas Trivikrama and with the first  step of his foot, measured the whole earth . Then with the second step of his foot, measured the whole sky. Then two steps covered the whole  of Mahabali's  kkingdom, the earth and the sky. Vamana then asked the king as towhere he should place his third step.                                                    King Mahabali  tthe grandson of the greatest lord's devotees, Prahalada joyfully offered his head for the third step is utter devotion and surrender.                          The lord recognizing his attittude of surrender  bblessedhim and sent him to Prahalada with his promise of making him Indra in the next Manavanthara and that he himself would guard the gates of pathala.                                                        According to the request of Mahabali's people, Vishnu granted Mahabali  permission to return to his kingdom from Pathala, once every yearto be in the midst of his people. This day is celebrated  as the Onam festival.                                                           Onam celebration include onasadhya, Thiruvathirakali, pookalam, Ona-thallu,Pulikali,Onavillu,Vallamkali,Onathappam,Onapottan,Thumpithullal etc…

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