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Legends of Onam
Just as in the case of many other festivals of India, there are numerous exciting legends at the back the derivation of Onam.

The Legend of King Mahabali
This is the most established legend. It is about the legendary King Mahabali who gave Kerala its golden age. Reputation of the King could not be accepted by Gods and they sneakily send him to the hindmost world. Mahabali's appeal to visit his people once in a year was approved by God. This yearly visit of King Mahabali is renowned as Onam.Womenfolk make unique preparations to greet him. Flower carpets are laid in the frontage courtyards with devotion and full genuineness. An impressive meal is arranged on the day of Thiru Onam. Lip smacking feast consists of most excellent of Kerala cuisine counting avial, sambhar, rasam, parippu and the payasam.

The Legend of Boat Palliodam
Story goes that once a vessel loaded with foodstuff got trapped in the curve of a river. When a wise man boarding the boat, Bhattathiripad, fed a poor and starving family existing on the bank of river, only then the boat could be contrive onward. From this fable comes the custom of feeding a deprived family on Onam.

The Legend of Vanishing Boy
The myth says that head of the Katoor Mana, a Nambudiri family had a bath in the river Pampa and was waiting for a poor man to feed. He unexpectedly saw a boy in rags. After having the mealtime, the boy was missing. He was speckled near the Aranmulla temple but vanished once more. Brahmin concluded the boy was God himself. Since then, Brahmin brought foodstuff to Aranmulla temple each year.

Onam Celebrations
The most striking part of Onam festivity is the impressive extensive meal called Onasadya, arranged on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 necessary dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a carpet laid on the ground to have the food.

Another charming trait of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a lively spectacle to observe the adorned boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and soothing by viewers.
There is also a custom to amuse you games, jointly called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for exact sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women pamper in enlightening activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of residence to salutation King Mahabali.
It brings back evocative memories, carried on the wings of legends, of a departed Utopian age of affluence, impartiality and morality, under the golden sovereignty of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries, the citizens of Kerala, irrespective of background, creed or colour, unite jointly to greet back their vanquished emperor.