Onam (Thiruvonam) Festival

Why we celebrate

Onam is Kerala's harvest festival, celebrating the annual homecoming of the legendary king Mahabali, a time of joy, feasts and floral carpets.

Kerala regional tradition; legend of Mahabali

Onam falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September), the first month of the Malayalam calendar.

The Mahabali legend places the origin in the era of the Chakravarti kings; the festival has been celebrated in Kerala for centuries.

Kerala folk history; regional tradition

Celebrated by all communities of Kerala and Malayalis worldwide.

The origin is the legend of King Mahabali, a generous ruler whose golden era is remembered and whose return is welcomed each year.

Legend of Mahabali (Vamana Purana association)

Lord Vishnu (in his Vamana avatar) and the legendary king Mahabali.

Create floral carpets (pookalam), prepare the grand feast (Onasadya), perform traditional dances (Kathakali, Thiruvathira), and enjoy boat races.

Pookalam (flower carpet), Onasadya feast, Thumbi Thullal, Vallam Kali (boat race), and the welcome of Mahabali with a clay figure.