The festival is an important event in the calender of the people of Kerala. It is celebrated at the end of summer – at the end of monsoon season, with carnivals that can last between four to ten days.
It is also a celebration to welcome King Mahabali (a legendary ruler of the region), whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
Today, the local Malayali community who have settled in Chesterfield, continue to celebrate the festival.