Onam Festival, Kerala’s Grand Celebration of Culture & Joy

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Kerala comes alive each year with the grand festivities and vibrant colors of Onam, the most cherished harvest festival in God’s Own Country. Onam 2025 will run from 26th August to 4th September, with Thiruvonam, the grand finale, falling on 4th September.

Onam arrives just as the monsoon rains fade, usually in late August or early September. It’s a time when Kerala feels like it’s dressed in its finest! Streets are decorated with flowers, homes filled with music and laughter, and communities come together to enjoy lavish feasts.

Let’s take a deep dive into the history and cultural significance of one of the most cheerful festivals of India, and why you should totally be a part of it on your next trip to Kerala.

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What is Onam?

Onam is Kerala’s biggest, or rather its most beloved festival! It brings families and communities together so that they can celebrate this state’s natural beauty and honor its cultural heritage together.

Why is Onam Celebrated?

The Onam festival honors the legendary King Mahabali, who was known for his fair rule and keeping his kingdom happy.

According to the story, Mahabali visits Kerala once a year, and Onam is the joyful welcome for his homecoming. Onam is special because it brings people of all backgrounds together to celebrate unity, gratitude, and Kerala’s rich culture.

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The Legend of  King Mahabali

King Mahabali’s reign is remembered as a golden age of prosperity and fairness in Kerala. Let’s find out more about the story of King Mahabali so we can see why his legend inspired the Onam celebration:

• Mahabali was a powerful and beloved demon king, or Asura, who ruled Kerala with kindness, justice, and equality. There was no poverty or discrimination under his rule.
• The jealous gods were anxious about his growing popularity and asked Lord Vishnu to intervene.
• Lord Vishnu approached Mahabali in the form of Vamana, a small Brahmin boy, and requested enough land to cover three of his steps.
• Being a just and fair ruler, Mahabali ignored the warnings of his advisors and granted Vishnu the land he needed.
• To his surprise, Vamana grew to a gigantic size and covered the earth and sky within just two steps.
• When he had nowhere to put his third step, Mahabali offered his own head for him to step on.
• Vamana placed his third step on Mahabali’s head and pushed him to the underworld, while also realising how humble and devoted he was!
• As a reward, Mahabali was granted the right to return to Kerala once every year to visit his people.

Onam is the grand celebration of this annual visit, where people welcome King Mahabali’s spirit with joy and reverence.

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Ten Days of Delight: How Kerala Celebrates Onam

Onam isn’t just one day. It’s a cultural fiesta spanning ten days, each with its own meaning and traditions.

Here’s what families and communities do on this special occasion:

Atham: The Grand Beginning

Onam starts with Atham, when families clean and decorate their homes.

Then they create colorful Pookalams, or flower carpets (rangolis), to begin the festival. Each family member, including small children, takes part in this creative activity.

The Pookalam grows in both size and complexity with each passing day as fresh flowers and colors are added to it.

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Onam Timeline: Rich Festivities Unfold in the Coming Days

At the same time, local markets turn more lively as people buy new clothes and seasonal goods, following the Kerala tradition of “Onakkodi”, which refers to wearing new garments during the Onam festival.

People play games like Onakalikal (traditional tug-of-war) and prepare and share snacks. Cultural dances like Kaikottikali and Thiruvathirakali are also performed, which feature coordination, fluid expressions, and graceful movements to tell a story.

Boat Races: Adrenaline-fueled Scenes

A highlight of the Onam season is the Vallamkali race, or snake boat race. Rowers come together in teams, sometimes exceeding 100 per boat, to row long canoes called Chundan Vallams across rivers and lakes in Kerala.

Just like the Aranmula and Alleppey races, these are also accompanied by rhythmic chanting, vibrant songs, and cheering crowds. Boat races showcase team spirit and are a point of pride for local villages.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is among the most famous boat races in Kerala, organised during Onam. It receives thousands of spectators from around the country, including many celebrities.

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Pulikali: The Famous Tiger Dance of Thrissur

On the fourth day of Onam, streets in Thrissur erupt in Pulikali festivities. Pulikali is an interesting folk performance that’s easily over 200 years old.

Artists, known as Pulikalikkars, spend hours covering their bodies with yellow, red, and black paints to make them look like the faces of tigers and leopards.

The dance symbolizes the wild spirit of Kerala, with performers moving and shaking their bellies to the beat of traditional drums and instruments like Chenda, Thakil, and Udukku.

The event is very entertaining, with tableaus and playful tiger hunts re-enacted in the streets, attracting thousands of people.

Family Feasts: The Onam Sadya

Families prepare and share an abundant vegetarian feast called Onam Sadya.

This elaborate meal, served on banana leaves, often has more than 27 dishes and is a delight for foodies! Each item, from crispy banana chips to sweet payasam, brings a unique taste and cultural value.

Preparing the Sadya is a cooperative affair. Men and women of the neighbourhood come together to prepare this massive feast, sharing work and banter. It’s a true symbol of this festival’s spirit of togetherness and prosperity.

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Colorful Decorations: The Beauty of Onam Rituals

Every decoration for Onam has religious importance and also adds beauty to people’s homes, temples, and workplaces at the same time.

Each day, the Athapookalam designs grow more detailed with fresh flowers and new patterns, enhancing the entrance of every home. Many families also create simple clay or flower figurines depicting King Mahabali and Vamana, and then place them in the center of the Pookalam.

The traditional lamps, called Nilavilakku, are lit. Gifts are exchanged. And elders pass on blessings for the coming year.

Thiruvonam: The Glorious Finale

Locals believe that Thiruvonam is the most important day of the Onam festival. People wake up early, dress in traditional attire, and visit temples to pray for the happiness and prosperity of their families.

Homes are filled with laughter, music, and delicious aromas. The warmth of Thiruvonam is felt everywhere, as everyone comes together to welcome King Mahabali and the spirit of harmony, hope, and gratitude.

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Onam in Modern Kerala

Unlike several ancient festivals across India, Onam is still celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. In fact, it has become more inclusive over the decades, embracing people regardless of faith or status. Malayalis worldwide join the festivities, making it grander and more beautiful than ever!

These ten days are more than a mere ritual. They’re a living reflection of Kerala’s longing for a golden age marked by equality and happiness.

What makes Onam truly special is how it brings everyone together, regardless of faith, caste, or background. With colorful decorations, traditional dances, joyful feasts, and a deep sense of unity among Malayalis everywhere, Onam is truly the heart of Kerala’s culture, cherished by.

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Book your trip to Kerala between August 26th and September 4th this year and experience the sights, sounds, and flavours that make Onam unique.

Make intricate Pookalams with the locals, gorge on a unifying Sadya feast, and cheer for your favourite team at the boat races to truly immerse yourself in the magic of Onam in 2025!