President greets nation ahead of Onam

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil today greeted the nation ahead of Onam, which is being celebrated tomorrow.

In her message, she said, "On the joyous occasion of Onam, I extend my warmest greetings to everyone especially to all my brothers and sisters in Kerala."

"May this auspicious harvest festival, which underlines the importance of agriculture in our country, inspire us to work for the progress and prosperity of our nation and to promote harmony and compassion in our country," she added.

Onam, a harvest festival, is celebrated in Kerala when young girls and women make flower patterns called "Pookalam" in local parlance to welcome the mythical King Mahabali.

Onam recalls the story of mythical demon king Mahabali who created a kingdom in what is now Kerala.

The festival falls during the month of Chingam (August-September as per the Gregorian calendar), the first month of the Malayalam calendar and lasts for ten days.

Traditionally celebrated as a harvest festival, mythologically it is linked to Malayalee-Hindu folktales. (ANI)