Festivals and celebrationsSouth AsiaHindu
Onam
In its own language: ഓണം
A ten-day harvest festival in Kerala celebrating the return of King Mahabali with feasts, flower carpets and boat races.
Onam is a major annual harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis in the Indian state of Kerala. It marks the mythical homecoming of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali. The event spans ten days in late August or September, featuring elaborate flower designs, traditional dances, grand feasts and snake boat races.
When is Onam in 2027?
Onam 2027 runs from 12 to 21 September 2027. Other years: 2026, 26 August to 4 September 2026; 2028, 1 to 10 September 2028.
Onam is the national festival of Kerala, India, celebrated by Malayalis every year. It honors the legend of King Mahabali returning to visit his people. The ten-day event blends ancient harvest traditions with vibrant cultural displays. Families gather for feasts, create intricate flower carpets and watch boat races.
Mythical origins
The festival commemorates the return of the generous Asura king Mahabali. Hindu legends say he was banished to the netherworld by Vishnu in his dwarf avatar Vamana. However, Vamana granted Mahabali one wish: to visit his kingdom once a year. This annual homecoming is the heart of Onam. Some scholars also link the festival to the memory of the last Chera King, whose rule ended long ago. Coronations historically pledged to rule only until his return.
Festival rituals
Celebrations begin on Atham day with the raising of a festival flag at the Thrikkakara temple in Kochi. A key tradition is the pookkalam, a circular flower carpet made from fresh blossoms. Women and girls arrange colorful petals into patterns at entrances. The design grows larger each day. Statues of Mahabali and Vamana are placed nearby. The Atthachamayam parade features decorated elephants and floats depicting epics.
Arts and performances
Dance and music define the season. Thiruvathira Kali is a circle dance performed by women around a lamp. Kummattikali involves masked dancers visiting homes. Pulikali features performers painted as tigers dancing to drum beats. Kathakali actors enact characters from ancient Indian legends. Vallamkali, the famous snake boat race, takes place on sacred rivers like the Pampa. Thousands gather to cheer the oarsmen.
Feasting traditions
The Onam sadya is a grand feast served on plantain leaves. It includes over two dozen dishes prepared with seasonal vegetables. Common items include banana chips, fried banana pieces with jaggery, and various vegetable curries. The meal reflects the harvest spirit. In Thrikkakara, a mega-feast serves thousands of people regardless of faith. Families prepare similar meals at home to mark the occasion.
Global observance
Onam is the official festival of Kerala. It began as a local celebration but gained state recognition in 1961. Today it is celebrated across India and among the Malayali diaspora. Communities in Singapore, Malaysia and other countries hold events like boat races and cultural programs. The festival highlights unity and harmony through public displays and shared meals.
How Onam is kept
Families clean their homes and create pookkalams using fresh flowers. People wear traditional attire like the Kasavu sari. The Atthachamayam parade marches through streets with elephants and floats. Communities attend boat races and watch dance performances. Everyone gathers for the Onam sadya feast served on banana leaves. The festival concludes with prayers and fireworks.
When and where
It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam, based on the Thiruvonam nakshatra. This usually occurs in August or September on the Gregorian calendar. The ten-day span starts on Atham and ends on Thiruvonam.
It is strongest in Kerala, India. Major celebrations occur in Kochi, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram. The Thrikkakara temple in Kochi is the focal point. Malayali communities worldwide also observe it in cities like Singapore.
What Onam means
It represents the love and generosity of King Mahabali. The festival celebrates the bond between the ruler and his subjects. It marks the new year and the harvest season. The flower carpets welcome the king's spirit. The feast symbolizes abundance and community sharing.
On the table
- Banana chips
- Sharkaraveratti
- Pappadam
- Injipuli
- Thoran
- Mezhukkupuratti
- Yam
- Ash gourd
Onam dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Onam date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 August to 4 September 2026 |
| 2027 | 12 to 21 September 2027 |
| 2028 | 1 to 10 September 2028 |
Questions people ask about Onam
When is Onam in 2027?
Onam 2027 runs from 12 to 21 September 2027. Other years: 2026, 26 August to 4 September 2026; 2028, 1 to 10 September 2028.
What is Onam?
Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis in Kerala, India. It honors the mythical return of King Mahabali. The event features flower carpets, boat races, dances and grand feasts served on plantain leaves.
What is the main food tradition?
The Onam sadya is a large feast served on banana leaves. It includes many dishes like banana chips, vegetable curries and sweet treats. Families and temples prepare these meals to celebrate the harvest.
Where is Onam primarily observed?
It is the national festival of Kerala, India. Key celebrations happen in Kochi, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram. The Thrikkakara temple in Kochi is considered the central venue for the festival.
See also
ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared meals
HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage
Christmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.
DiwaliA five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.Good reading and sources
- Onam on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Onam", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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