Onam is an annual Hindu festival with origins in the state of Kerala in India. It falls in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September. According to legends, the festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

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Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. It is a harvest festival, one of three major annual Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, and it is observed with numerous festivities. Onam celebrations include boat races, tiger dances, flower arrangement, tug of war, folk songs, dance and other celebrations.

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A flower carpe called 'Pookalan' is laid in front of every house to welcome the advent of the vanquished king, and earthern mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards.