When Asura King Mahabali rose to rule over heaven and earth, Gods began to feel it as a threat. They approached Lord Vishnu, who disguised himself as a Brahmin boy, and went to meet Mahabali. Graciously received by Mahabali, who asked what he desired, the Brahmin said all he needed was land equivalent to three paces of his feet.
Mahabali's guru Shukracharya realised that the boy was no ordinary Brahmin and advised the king not to promise anything. But being a man who never went back on his word, Mahabali went ahead as promised, and asked the Brahmin to measure out his desired three paces of land. The Brahmin started to grow in size until he could measure earth with one footstep, and the heavens with another. When asked where to claim his third pace of land, Mahabali offered his head, and in doing so, was sent down to Sutala. In return for his devotion, Lord Vishnu granted the king permission to visit his beloved subjects once every year. This is the day Kerala celebrates Onam, in honour of the great king who loves his people.
Onam falls in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. Along with the king's annual visit, it is also Kerala's rice harvest festival. Celebrations begin 10 days prior to Thiruonam, with different cultural rituals like pulikali, vallamkali, and others. It ends with a huge feast called Sadya, served on plantain leaves.
