Kerala during Onam is marked by happiness, excitement and enjoyment among all sections of people.
Onam is celebrated as an outcome of reasons that have to do with mythology as well as old agrarian practices.
If one is to go by the myth, then King Mahabali or Maveli was a generous and virtuous ruler, who had once ruled Kerala.
King Mahabali was an asura - a member of the demon clan - who were the enemies of devas.
During his rule, the kingdom became so prosperous that devas felt jealous and went to God in the guise of Vamana (a dwarf.
And at the time of measuring the three feet of land,Vamana grew so huge that he measured all the worlds in two steps.
Since he had nowhere else to place his third step, Mahabali asked Vamana to place it on his head.
Pleased by his benevolence, Vamana blessed Mahabali before he was sent to the nether world and granted him permission to visit his dear subjects once in a year.
This occasion is celebrated by all Keralites as Onam.