Women assembling the pookalam flower mat As Onam progresses, more concentric layers are added to the pookalam, creating colorful designs. (more) Onam Hindu festival Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Written by Kelly Gisonna Kelly Gisonna, Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica. Tara Ramanathan•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 16, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Onam, Hindu harvest festival that occurs in the Malayali month of Chingam, which overlaps with August and September in the Gregorian calendar. The 10-day harvest festival celebrates the Malayali New Year and is observed predominantly in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Other Indian regions, such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, also have Onam celebrations. The legend behind the festival tells the story of King Mahabali and his selflessness and devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu. King Mahabali was the asura king of Kerala. Asuras are a class of power-seeking demons in Hindu mythology who are constantly in conflict ...(100 of 1251 words)

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