The celebration of Onam as a national festival was taken up on Government initiative in Kerala in 1961.The celebrations start formally on the day of Atham asterism. Onam has certain social aspects. It provides an occasion for the family get-together for the Keralites. The head of the family presents clothes as gift (Onapudava) to the junior members, servants and tenants.

Onam, the harvest festival
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore, of a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness, under the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join together to welcome back their vanquished king.
The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.

DAYS OF ONAM

Atham-------Day One
Chithir--------Day Two
Chodhi--------Day Three
Visakam------Day Four
Anizham------Day Five
Thriketa------Day Six
Moolam-------Day Seven
Pooradam --- Day Eight
Uthradam ----Day Nine
Thiruvonam - Day Ten

The most important day of Onam celebrations is known as Thiruvonam.