It is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali.
The festival lasts for ten days.
It is also a harvest festival and falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.
States
Festivals celebrated
Karnataka
Makar Sankranthi, Hampi festival, Hoysala Mahotsava and Karaga.
Kerala
Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Arattu, and Aranmula Uthrattathi.
Goa
Shigmo, Sao Joao festival, Goa Carnival and Easter