About Onam
Onam is the most important festival of Kerala, celebrated by people of all communities. It centres on Thiruvonam, the day of the Thiruvonam nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Chingam, and is linked to the legend of King Mahabali, a generous ruler under whom the land was said to be prosperous and fair. When Lord Vishnu came as Vamana and asked for three steps of land, Mahabali humbly offered all he had. He was granted the wish to visit his people once a year, and Onam is the joyful welcome prepared for his return.
The celebrations span about ten days, beginning on Atham. Each day, families add new rings of flowers to the pookalam, a floral carpet laid at the entrance that grows larger until Thiruvonam. The main day brings new clothes, often the cream and gold kasavu, and the Onasadya, a vegetarian feast of many dishes served on a banana leaf. The season is also known for vallam kali, the snake boat races on Kerala's rivers, the Pulikali tiger dance of Thrissur, Thiruvathira dances by women, and the Athachamayam procession in Thrippunithura.
How it is observed
- Laying a fresh pookalam of flowers at the entrance each day from Atham
- Wearing new clothes, often the traditional kasavu
- Sharing the Onasadya on a banana leaf with family and friends
- Watching vallam kali boat races or the Pulikali performance
- Joining Thiruvathira dances, games and community events
Onam dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, 15 September 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Friday, 5 September 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Wednesday, 26 August 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Sunday, 12 September 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Friday, 1 September 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 22 August 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Monday, 9 September 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Kerala
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Kerala
Thiruvonam
Families welcome King Mahabali with pookalam flower carpets, new clothes (Onakkodi) and a grand Onasadya meal served on banana leaves.
Kerala (Thripunithura)
Athachamayam
The Onam season opens ten days earlier on Atham with the Athachamayam street procession of floats and folk art.
Kerala (Thrissur)
Pulikali
On the fourth day of Onam, performers painted as tigers dance through the streets of Thrissur.
Kerala (Aranmula)
Aranmula Vallamkali
Snake boats race on the Pampa river at Aranmula as an offering to Lord Parthasarathy, in the days after Thiruvonam.
Malayali communities across India
Onam
Malayali families in Kanyakumari, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi celebrate with pookalam contests and community sadyas.
Onam is a cultural festival for all Keralites, celebrated across faiths and by Malayalis around the world.
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