Onam is a traditional harvest festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Kerala. 

It is one of the most significant and widely observed festivals in Kerala and holds cultural and religious importance for the people of the region. The festival typically falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which corresponds to the months of August-September in the Gregorian calendar.

Onam celebrates the mythical King Mahabali's annual visit to Kerala. According to legend, King Mahabali was a benevolent and generous ruler loved by his subjects. However, his growing power and popularity led to concerns among the gods, and they sought the help of Lord Vishnu to curb his influence. Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, and visited Mahabali. Through a series of events, Vamana requested three paces of land from Mahabali and ultimately pushed him into the netherworld. However, Lord Vishnu was pleased with Mahabali's devotion and granted him the boon to visit his kingdom once a year, which is celebrated as Onam.

The festival is marked by vibrant cultural events, elaborate flower arrangements known as "Pookkalam," traditional dances like "Thiruvathira Kali" and "Pulikali," as well as grand feasts known as "Onam Sadhya." The Onam Sadhya is a lavish vegetarian meal served on banana leaves and consists of various dishes that are both delicious and symbolic of the harvest season.

Onam showcases the rich cultural heritage of Kerala, with people donning traditional attire, participating in various festivities, and creating intricate floral patterns. It is a time of joy, togetherness, and renewal of cultural bonds for Keralites, irrespective of their religious backgrounds.