Onam – The Grand Harvest Festival of Kerala in India

Onam is the most significant festival of Kerala, celebrated with grandeur across the state by people of all religions and communities. The festival commemorates the mythical King Mahabali, whose reign is considered the golden era of Kerala, marked by prosperity, peace, and happiness.

According to legend, Mahabali visits his people every year during Onam, and the festivities are a way to welcome their beloved king. Onam also marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a celebration of abundance and community spirit.

The festival spans ten days, starting with Atham and culminating on Thiruvonam, the most important day of the celebration. During these days, people of Kerala engage in a variety of activities, including preparing elaborate feasts (Onam Sadya), decorating their homes with flower carpets (Pookalam), participating in traditional games, and watching the famous boat races (Vallamkali).

Onam Dates in India for 2024, 2025, and 2026

Here are the dates for Onam in India for the upcoming years:

The Significance of Onam in India

Onam holds immense cultural and religious significance in Kerala. It is a festival that celebrates the harvest and the mythical return of King Mahabali, a beloved ruler whose reign was marked by equality, prosperity, and joy. The festival represents the hope for the return of a golden age and serves as a reminder of the values of unity, generosity, and shared prosperity.

Onam is also a celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, with its various rituals and customs reflecting the state’s deep connection to the land and its traditions. The festival is inclusive, celebrated by Keralites regardless of caste or religion, making it a symbol of the state’s unity and harmony.

How Onam is Celebrated in India

Onam is celebrated with a variety of cultural, religious, and social activities. The festival is known for its colourful rituals, elaborate feasts, and traditional performances, which reflect Kerala’s unique cultural identity.

• Pookalam (Floral Decorations): One of the most iconic symbols of Onam is the Pookalam, a floral carpet created in front of homes and temples. Each day of the festival, starting from Atham, the Pookalam grows larger and more elaborate as new layers of flowers are added. These intricate designs are created using colourful flowers, and competitions are often held to showcase the most beautiful Pookalams.
• Onam Sadya (Grand Feast): Onam Sadya is the traditional feast served on Thiruvonam, the final day of the festival. It is a grand vegetarian meal served on banana leaves, consisting of more than 20 dishes, including rice, sambar, avial, thoran, payasam, and more. The Sadya reflects the abundance of the harvest and is a central part of the Onam celebrations, bringing families and communities together to share a meal.
• Vallamkali (Snake Boat Races): One of the most spectacular events during Onam is the Vallamkali, or snake boat races, held on the rivers of Kerala. Long, narrow boats manned by rowers compete in races, with crowds cheering from the riverbanks. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, is one of the most famous events of the festival.
• Traditional Dances and Performances: Onam is a time for celebrating Kerala’s cultural heritage through traditional dance and music performances. Popular dance forms like Kathakali, Pulikali (tiger dance), and Thiruvathira are performed during the festival. Pulikali involves dancers painted as tigers and leopards, who perform energetic dances to the beat of drums, while Kathakali showcases classical storytelling through dance.
• Athachamayam Procession: The festival begins with a grand procession called Athachamayam, which takes place in Thrippunithura, near Kochi. The procession features decorated elephants, folk dancers, musicians, and floats, celebrating the mythical arrival of King Mahabali. The colourful and vibrant procession sets the tone for the ten days of festivities.
• Ritual Worship: Temples across Kerala hold special prayers and rituals during Onam. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, as the festival is also believed to commemorate the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, who sent Mahabali to the underworld. People visit temples, make offerings, and seek blessings for prosperity and happiness.

Onam in Different Parts of India

While Onam is primarily celebrated in Kerala, it is observed by Malayali communities across India and the world, particularly in regions with significant Keralite populations.

• Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Alappuzha): In Kerala, Onam is celebrated with grandeur in cities and villages alike. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Alappuzha host some of the largest and most vibrant celebrations, with public feasts, boat races, and cultural performances attracting thousands of people.
• Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: In neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where there are sizeable Malayali populations, Onam is celebrated with similar enthusiasm. People organise feasts, decorate their homes, and participate in cultural events that reflect the spirit of the festival.
• Malayali Diaspora (Gulf Countries, USA, UK): Onam is also celebrated by Malayali communities abroad, particularly in the Gulf countries, USA, and UK. Keralites living abroad gather to recreate the traditions of Onam, with feasts, cultural performances, and community events that bring a sense of home and belonging during the festival.

Onam – A Festival of Abundance, Cultural Pride, and Unity

Onam is a time of joy, abundance, and cultural pride in Kerala. The festival celebrates the bounty of the harvest, the values of unity and generosity, and the rich traditions of the state. From the intricate Pookalam designs to the exhilarating boat races and the sumptuous Onam Sadya, the festival is a vibrant expression of Kerala’s cultural identity.

Onam brings together people from all walks of life, creating a sense of unity and togetherness that transcends religious and social boundaries. It is a celebration of prosperity, hope, and the enduring legacy of King Mahabali’s golden rule.

More Information about Onam in India