Onam is the very important festival of the state of Kerala. It is the beginning of the month of Chingam, which is the begining of the Kollam year (Malayalam Calender), This is also the harvest festival of Kerala. The festival is also celebrated to welcome the King Mahabali, who comes to visit his country every year. In general the festival is celebrated for about 4 to 10 days. Onam is declared the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. The entire week of celebrations is the Tourist Week of Kerala and it atracts thousands of visitors from India and abroad. The festival of Onam is quite synonymous with Pookolam, Onam Sadaya, Vallamkali, Elephant procession and lots of martial art combacts and display.
The festival of Onam is also called as Thiruvonam or Sravanmahotsav.