Onam, Malayalis’ iconic festival, is back in all its beauty and grace. Few celebrations in the world meld mythology, nature-worship, and cultural expression as coherently as Onam does, making it one of the most enduring traditions of Kerala.
This year, the ten-day season begins on August 26 and will culminate on September 5 with Thiruvonam, the festival’s grand finale. Onam, however, is more than just a calendar event—it is an identity, a heritage, and a collective memory for Malayalis, whether in Kerala or scattered across the globe.
Rooted in inclusivity, Onam goes beyond caste, class, and faith. While its core is steeped in Hindu mythology, it has long blurred religious boundaries, evolving into a cultural celebration that every Malayali can call their own. Falling in the Malayalam month of Chingam, just after the southwest monsoon, Onam coincides with the season of fresh shoots and paddy harvests. For Kerala’s agricultural communities of the past, this was the time to reap their most cherished crop—rice.
The story of Onam traces back to the legendary reign of Asura King Mahabali, remembered as a time when Kerala was a ‘paradise’ on earth—free of theft, deceit, or malice. His utopian rule, however, sparked envy among the Devas.
Lord Vishnu, urged by them, appeared before Mahabali in the guise of a dwarf—Vamana. The benevolent king offered him any gift he desired. Vamana asked only for three steps of land. But as he grew to a cosmic size, one step covered earth, the second heaven, and the third pressed Mahabali down to the netherworld.
In his downfall, Mahabali made one request: to visit his people once a year. Vishnu granted it, and so each Onam marks Mahabali’s annual homecoming—when his subjects welcome him with flowers, feasts, and joy.
Perhaps the most iconic image of Onam is the floral carpet, or Pookkalam. Beginning on Atham Day, ten days before Thiruvonam, families arrange vibrant flower patterns at the entrance of their homes to honour the visiting king. Children and adults alike contribute to these designs, flaunting their creativity. Urbanisation has meant that many flowers now come from neighbouring states, but the artistry remains undiminished.
Pookkalams today spill beyond homes, gracing schools, offices, and IT campuses. For visitors, they are among the warmest welcomes Kerala offers.
If flowers define the visual charm of Onam, the Onam Sadhya defines its culinary heart. Served on a banana leaf, this vegetarian feast features an elaborate array—rice, sambhar, avial, olan, erissery, rasam, pappadam, banana chips, pickles, and the sweet delight pradhaman.
In Malabar, meat and fish sometimes find a place at the table, but tradition favours vegetarian fare. Once a home-cooked labour of love, Sadhya today is also delivered at doorsteps by restaurants and caterers. Hotels in India, the Middle East, the US, and the UK curate Onam spreads, taking the flavour of Kerala far and wide.
Onam is as much about art as it is about myth and food. Historically, it was a rare stage for women—then confined to homemaking—to showcase their talents.
Kaikottikali, the circular clap-dance, became a signature performance, with mythological themes woven into graceful choreography. Variants like Margamkali in Christian households, and Islamic traditions like Duffmuttu and Arbanakali, show how Onam transcended faith lines while nurturing women’s artistic expression.
Men, meanwhile, took to games of strength. Onathallu, a body-fighting sport derived from Kalaripayattu, was once a highlight. Rural sports for men and children kept the celebratory energy alive.
And of course, Kerala’s famed boat races reach their peak during Onam. The chundanvallams—snake boats up to 140 feet long and manned by 120 rowers—slice through Kerala’s backwaters to thunderous cheers. Women, too, take part in smaller boat races, widening the festival’s inclusivity.
From family courtyards, Onam has moved into public spaces. The Kerala government organises grand celebrations across the state, with cultural events, illuminated landmarks, and week-long festivities. Local cultural groups in towns and villages also host their own programmes, ensuring no one is left untouched by the season’s vibrancy.
Tourism, naturally, flourishes. “The week-long tourism festival organised by the government showcases the best of Kerala’s classical, folk and ethnic art forms. It provides an opportunity for hundreds of artists to perform in the capital city and centres across the state,” said tourism minister P A Mohamed Riyas.
This year, the tourism week celebrations will be inaugurated by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on September 3, culminating with a colourful pageantry on September 9.
While Onam celebrates Mahabali’s return, in some regions the festival also honours Vamana, the very deity who banished him. Here, clay pyramids called Thrikkakarayappan or Onathappan are set up and worshipped as symbols of Vishnu. Yet this irony does little to overshadow the festival’s dominant spirit of welcoming Mahabali with open arms.
Onam is more than Kerala’s harvest festival. It is a living, breathing expression of community, inclusivity, and heritage—one that has crossed continents with the Malayali diaspora. Whether through floral carpets, feasts, dances, boat races, or myth retellings, Onam continues to affirm a truth embedded in Mahabali’s legend: paradise is not a place, but a way of living together in harmony.
1. What is Onam and why is it celebrated?
Onam is Kerala’s harvest festival rooted in the legend of King Mahabali. It marks his annual homecoming and celebrates unity, nature, and Malayali culture.
2. When will Onam be celebrated in 2025?
Onam 2025 will begin on August 26 and end on September 5, with Thiruvonam being the grand finale.
3. What are the main traditions of Onam?
Onam traditions include floral carpets (Pookkalam), the grand feast (Onam Sadhya), Vallam Kali snake boat races, Pulikkali tiger dance, and cultural performances.
4. What is the significance of the Onam Sadhya?
The Onam Sadhya is a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring over 20 dishes that symbolize abundance, community, and celebration.
5. Where can tourists experience Onam in Kerala?
Tourists can experience Onam in cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Thrissur, with highlights including boat races in Alappuzha and Pulikkali in Thrissur.
