Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20 (IANS): The week-long Onam celebrations in Kerala, that will witness a cultural extravaganza, will begin on August 25, a minister said here on Thursday.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the celebrations here on August 25.

"The celebrations will see the participation of 5,000 performing artistes and will be hosted at 29 venues. Though the government is facing an economic crunch, we are spending Rs.3 crore to put up an impressive show," Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar said.

Onam, Kerala's harvest festival, is on August 28.

Various venues in the capital city will come alive with music, dance, painting and martial arts programmes in the modern, traditional, folk and classical genres of Kerala for a week on account of Onam festivities.

A festive procession, jointly organised by the tourism department and Kerala Sports Council, will parade through the city on August 27 as a prelude to the Onam celebrations.

According to the legend, the state had its golden period during the reign of King Mahabali as everyone was a contended lot. Thus, King Mahabali's annual visit to see his subjects is celebrated as Onam.