Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 - It will be an expensive Onam this year. Kerala's harvest festival marked by sumptuous feasts and buying of new clothes, may not be as grand as usual - thanks to the rise in prices.

The festival is celebrated in honour of Mahabali, the mythical asura king of ancient Kerala, and Malayalees believe that on Onam day Mahabali visits his subjects. Onam is the official festival of the state.

Retired college professor E. Draupadi is unhappy over the high prices of vegetables, bananas and provisions, which have shot up 30-40 percent over last year.

'In my seven decades of Onam celebrations, I don't think I have ever come across an Onam season which is going to be as expensive as this time. The price of a kilogram of banana has crossed Rs.30, while it was around Rs.18 last year. Likewise, vegetable prices also have shot up like anything,' said the 78-year-old professor who is awaiting the arrival of her three sons for the festival, that begins Sep 1.

Traditionally Onam is the festival when Keralites buy new dresses, but over the years people have begun buying electronic goods and home appliances too.

For people of Kerala, the one item that none can forgo during the season is crispy banana chips, and most homes keep fish and meat out of the kitchen on the three Onam days and turn to vegetables.

Agriculture Minister Mulakara Ratnakaran is burning the midnight oil to ensure that vegetable prices are kept to the minimum.

'We have come out with special vegetable kits, one which would cost Rs.