Onam is the national festival of Kerala. Malayalees from all over the world have been celebrating this festival regardless of caste and religion. In Kerala, Onam, the biggest festival of Malayali, comes in the month of Singha, which marks the arrival of the new year. Onam falls in the months of August-September in the English calendar.

Onam is celebrated in remembrance of the good governance under the rule of Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala. The legend holds that jealous of Mahabali’s popularity and his power, the devas and gods conspired to end his reign. They sent Vamana to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin who trampled Mahabali to patala (netherworld). Vamanan asked Mahabali for three feet of land as his wish from the generous Mahabali. Since denying gifts to Brahmin is considered a sacrilege, Mahabali agreed to fulfill Vamana’s wish. In the first two feet Vamana measured the entire universe, leaving nowhere to place his third foot. Mahabali offered his own head to place his third feet making the wish complete. Bhalanetra Superspeciality Eye Hospital Wishes everyone a HAPPY ONAM!