In a first of its kind, Kerala government will host Onam celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 3 in which President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President Hamid Ansari will participate.

The decision to hold the Onam festivities at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi was taken at the state cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters.

Besides the PM, President and Vice-President, Union Cabinet Ministers, MPs, state ministers will also attend the celebrations which will showcase the state's rich cultural heritage, Vijayan said.

Onam is celebrated to honour King Mahabali who according to legend ruled the state once upon a time.

It was on the particular day of Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calender month of Chingam (August-September) when Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vaamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld.

It is believed that on Thiruvonam day the spirit of King Mahabali visits the people of the state. Flower mats (Pookalam) are laid in houses and family members enjoy the grand feast (Onasadya).

The Thiru Onam falls on September 14 this year.