Gearing up for onam

Sir — Onam, which will be celebrated on August 25, is a festival celebrated in the loving memory of King Mahabali. Onam is also a harvest festival. It is celebrated for 10 days. Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration.

During Onam, traditional rituals are performed, which is followed by a lavish feast with 21 homemade curries and payasam on banana leaf. Spectacular carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat races, music and the famous Kathakalli dance are traditionally associated with this festival.