Onam is the main festival of Kerala, celebrated with immense joy, rich traditions, and vibrant cultural displays. It is a 10-day harvest festival that marks the return of the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is said to have been the most prosperous time for the state. Onam offers travelers a unique opportunity to witness the best of Kerala’s culture and traditions.
Onam Festival Date
Onam festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, typically between August and September. In 2025, the key day of Onam in Kerala, known as Thiruvonam, falls on September 5. This is when the grandest celebrations occur. However, visitors can enjoy festivities throughout the ten-day period leading up to this date.
What is Onam All About?
Onam is a celebration of the annual return of King Mahabali, a beloved mythical ruler of Kerala. It’s also a time for Kerala’s Onam Festival to highlight the agrarian roots of the state, making it one of the most important festivals in India. It showcases the deep connection to harvests, culture, and mythology.
Where is Onam Celebrated?
Onam is celebrated across Kerala, but some places stand out for their unique way of commemorating the festival:
Thripunithura: Known for its grand Athachamayam procession, which kicks off the Onam festival in Kerala with colorful parades, music, and cultural performances.
Alappuzha: Famous for the Vallamkali or snake boat race, where long, beautifully decorated boats race in synchrony along Kerala’s backwaters.
History of Onam - The Legend and the Significance
The Mahabali legend that spins the tale of Onam
According to Hindu Mythology, the Brahmin sage Prahlada had a grandson named Mahabali who took over the three worlds by defeating the Gods (Devas). In Vaishnavism, the Devas approached Lord Vishnu to help them in the battle against Mahabali, Vishnu refused considering Mahabali being a good ruler and his devotee. Mahabali performed a Yajna after his victory over the Gods and had to grant anyone any request. Lord Vishnu took this opportunity to test Mahabali's devotion and approached Mahabali in the avatar of a dwarf boy called Vamana.The king offered everything he could to the boy, but Vamana refused and said one must not seek more than one's needs and all he needed was three-paces. Mahabali, although surprised by the boy's wish, agreed to grant it. Vamana grew and covered the land and water with one foot and the sky with another foot, now to place his third-foot Mahabali offered himself. Vamana trampled Mahabali down to Pathala (hell) but pleased by his devotion offered him a boon to visit his land every year. The revisit of Mahabali marks the festival of Onam.
What Happens During the Onam Festival?
Onam is welcomed with a diverse range of activities and celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. The life of the festival lies in its cultural practices with a repertoire of events ranging from boat races, dance forms, florals, colorful art, food, and traditional clothing.1. Attachamayam - Cultural Processions and Parades
2. Pookalam - Floral art on Floors
3. Traditional Dances - Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali, Kummattikali
The Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala, is very fondly known by all. Apart from this, there are other dances, such as Thiruvathira, Pulikali, Kummattikali, Thumbi Thullal, and Onam Kali, which are performed during Onam.Thiruvathirakali is a popular dance form performed by women on the day of Onam. This is accompanied by Thiruvathira Paattu, which is the folk song of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The group of women dances around the Nilavilaku (a standing lamp), showing the grace of the feminine.
Kummattikali, on the other hand, is a dance with heavily painted colourful masks, that depicts Krishna, Narada, Darika and Kiratha. It is most prevalent in Thrissur district of Kerala.
Onam Kali is another form of dance where performers circles around a lamp and dancing to songs which depict tales from Ramayana.
Pulikali or Leopard dance is also known as Kaduvakali, is a recreational folk art form of Kerala. It is performed on the fourth Onam day where performers paint themselves as tigers in shades of bright yellow, red and orange and dance to the beats of traditional instruments like Chenda, Thakil and Udukku.
4. Vallamkali - The Famous Snake Boat Race
The traditional snake boat race is an essential event during the festival of Onam. It includes races of various kinds, such as paddled longboats, snake boats, and traditional boats of Kerala. Vachipaatu, or the boat song, is sung during the boat race to entertain the crowd and encourage the canoers. This event can be witnessed on the Pampa River of Kerala. This is a key highlight of the Onam festival, Kerala that takes place in Alappuzha’s backwaters.
5. Onasadya - The Traditional Feast
The Sadya, meaning banquet in Malayalam, is a vegetarian meal that is served on a banana leaf. There are a variety of 29 dishes that are laid over the leaf with fewer or more numbers. The feast reflects the spirit of Onam with some items such as Rice, Sambar, Chips, Sharkaravaratti, Injipuli, Pappadam, Avial, Olan, Pickle, Dal, Thoran, Ghee, Rasam, Puliseri, Erisheri, Pachadi, Coconut Chutney, Moru and which ends with a sweet, savory Payasam.
In certain customs, a Palmyra tree covered with dry leaves surrounded by a wooden balustrade is erected in the temples. The tree is then lit with a torch that gets burned down to ashes symbolising Mahabali's sacrifice. Another custom is the swing slung from high branches, which plays an integral part in the rural areas. Young men and women sing Onapaatu and rock one another on the swings as a form of merrymaking.The 10 Days of Onam
The onam celebration spans over ten days with numerous festivities. Most Hindus observe it in its pure traditional form. The first ten days of Onam are the most important which begins with Atham.
Atham
On the day of Atham, festivities begin at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple in Kochi, where a grand procession is held called as Athachamayam. The day marks the preparations of the visit of Mahabali to his Kingdom. This is followed by the laying of Pookalam which is made of only yellow petals. The Pookalam on Atham is known as Athapoo which is made of only one layer that gets added on progressively as each day of Onam passes. Statues of Mahabali and Vamana are placed on the courtyards that are dung-plastered in front of the house.Chithira
On the second day of Onam, two more layers of orange and creamy yellow flowers are added to the Pookalam. People clean their houses and visit temples on this day.Chodhi
The third day of Onam is when people buy new clothes otherwise called as Onakkodi. Women dress up in Kasavi Saree, and men purchase mundu while young girls wear Pattu Pavada. Families go shopping as well as gift each other jewels and clothes. The third layer of flowers is added to the Pookalam as well.Vishakam
This day is considered as the most auspicious as the Onasadya preparations commence. The woman in the family stock up ingredients from the market. Usually, markets hold their harvest sale during this period making Kerala markets the busiest place. The dishes go up to 26 - 30 in different families. After all, Onasadya is all about filling the plantain leaf with dishes until there's no space left.Anizham
The Vallamkali or Snake boat races flag-off on the Pamba River and the Pookalam grow bigger.Thriketa
Fresh flowers are added to the Pookalam and families visit their ancestral homes and spend some time, exchange gifts etc.Moolam
Most temples start offering Onasadya on this day. Families prepare a shorter version of the Sadya. The Pulikali and Kaikottukali are performed at various places in Kerala. The state starts getting colourful and busy with celebrations.Pooradam
The day begins with the ritual of installing clay statues of Mahabali and Vamana commonly called Onathappam in the centre of Pookalam. They are the representation of Mahabali, and fixing these statues symbolises an invitation to Mahabali to visit each house. By now the Pookalam is much bigger and complex.Uthradam/First Onam
This day is the eve of Onam and considered as the First Onam. It is the most auspicious day to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. According to traditional beliefs, Mahabali arrives in Kerala on this day. Hence, people clean their houses and do their final Onam shopping.Thiruvonam Onam
The main day of Onam festival when people apply rice flour batter on the entrance of their houses as a traditional welcome sign, take a shower and dress up in new clothes and also distribute alms to the poor and needy. This is the day King Mahabali visits each home and blesses every family in Kerala. The Pookalam is completed perfectly, and the families gather to feast on the Onasadya.
Post-Onam Celebrations
Onam isn't just a Keralite festival; it is celebrated across all states and around the world regardless of caste and creed. Celebrations are notable among Malayali diaspora in UAE, USA and Singapore. Well, except for the fights over the last ounce of Payasam, Onam is a harmonious, cheerful and exuberant festival.