Onam Festival – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

Onam – a festival observed in Kerala, South India, was celebrated in Shepparton. Onam, held in August and September for 10 days, originated in Kerala to celebrate the golden rule of King Mahabali. Lord Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin who trampled Mahabali to the netherworld. But Lord Vishnu granted the king’s sole wish i.e. to visit his land and people once every year.

	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.