Onam Festival in India
August 26 · Level 7 · #686 of 2238
Onam is the great harvest and cultural festival of the Indian state of Kerala. It is tied to the legend of the good king Mahabali, who is said to return once a year to visit his people.
How it is celebrated: families lay flower carpets called pookalam at their doorways, share a huge feast known as Onam Sadya, watch long snake-boat races and enjoy dance performances such as Kathakali and Pulikali.
The festival lasts ten days, and the flower carpet at the door grows a little bigger each day. The peak is Thiruvonam, when the feast is served on banana leaves.