Onam is one of the most popular and celebrated festival of Kerala. It is a time for everyone to reap the benefits of a good harvest after a year of hard work and labour. Onam festival is celebrated in the memory of popular King Mahabali, who according to a popular belief visits his subjects on this day. The festival is a time for communal thanksgiving. The famous 'Snake boat' race is organised every year to mark the festival. It is a season of dances, songs, food, worshipping among other festivities. Women wear new sarees, they dress up their children in colorful clothes. The traditional 'Pookkalam' a flower mat adorns the courtyard of almost every house. Among the various dishes cooked during the festival, 'Payasam' is most popular.
