Why is Onam celebrated?

Onam falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam, in August or September, right after the monsoon. It is Kerala’s harvest festival: the rains are over, the rice is in, and the whole state celebrates.

The story behind it is the legend of King Mahabali, a generous ruler whose kingdom was so happy that the gods grew uneasy. Vishnu, as the dwarf Vamana, asked for three steps of land, grew to giant size, covered the earth and sky in two steps, and placed the third on Mahabali’s head, sending him to the underworld. Mahabali was granted one visit home every year — Onam is that visit.

Ten days of celebration follow: the flower carpet called pookalam, the snake boat races, the Pulikali tiger dance, and the sadya — a feast of up to 26 dishes served on a banana leaf.

Onam belongs to everyone in Kerala, whatever their religion. That is perhaps its best lesson.