Onam
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Onam, the national festival of Keralam, is an annual harvest and Hindu cultural festival celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala and is traditionally associated with the legend of the benevolent Asu
The pookkalam is an Onam tradition.
Onapottan, a mute folk character of North Malabar, symbolizes King Mahabali visiting homes during Onam with a palm-leaf umbrella and bell, blessing people in silence
Vamana teaching king Mahabali, 1672 Dutch painting
Onam starts off every year with a parade called Athachamayam.
Mahabali
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Mahabali, also known as Bali, Indrasenan, or Māveli, is a daitya king featured in Hinduism. He is the grandson of Prahlada, and a descendant of the sage Kashyapa. There are many versions of his legend
Onam
…and Hindu cultural festival celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala and is traditionally associated with the legend of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala, returning each year to visit his people. A major annual event for Malayalis, it is the official festival of the state and…
Mahabali serves Vamana, while a suspicious Shukra tries to stop him. Painting from Mankot, Jammu and Kashmir, c. 1700–1725.
Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu stomps on Bali's head, and sends him to Patala