Onam is the popular festival of Kerala celebrated in the entire state with joy and brotherhood. Onam Festival falls during the Malayalam month Chingam (August/September) and this year, Onam 2025 will starts on 26th August and end on 4th September. Irrespective of Religion all Malayalees celebrate this festival Onam with a lot of joy and happiness. Not only in Kerala but in all over the world Malayalees celebrate Onam which starts on a day called Atham and ends on the 10^th day which is Thiruvonam. In these 10 days of celebration, each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions.

The traditional ritual of laying “Athapookalam” stars on Atham day. The main flower used for Athapookalam is “thumbapoo”. On the first day, it is small in size like in a circle laying thumbapoo surrounded by a ring of another verity flower. And the size of Athapookalam gradually increases as the number of flower rings increases each day. Different flowers are used each day. On thiruvonam day the pookalam has been removed with some poojas and offerings to” Thrikakara Appan” (The god of Onam). There are different events like Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Thiruvathirakali, Onappatu, etc. conducted during Onam days. If you want to know more about the Onam or wanted to experience the Onam closely do visit some tourist places in Kerala and enjoy this 10 days Onam festival fully.

History of Onam Festival:-

The Legend of Onam is related to the Evil Emperor Mahabali. Despite being Evil, Mahabali ruled the earth very well. Citizens are very happy and no worries and sorrows anywhere in the world. Then The Devas saw the rise of the Evil King as a threat. The Devas approached Lord Vishnu and ask for help and he agreed to help.

Mahabali was performing the sacrificial rite of Vishwajit Yagam on the banks of the Narmada River. Taking advantage of the Yagam and Mahabali’s declaration, Lord Vishnu disguised as a Brahmin boy “VAMANA” and came to the Yaga-sala (the place where pooja is held). Mahabali received the Brahmin boy with all honor and courtesies. As Mahabali offered Vamana that he was ready to fulfill his wish whatever it is, Vamana asked Mahabali land equivalent to three paces of his feet. As Mahabali was a King who would never go back on his word, he resumed his promise to Vamana. Mahabali asked Vamana to measure out the desired three paces of Land. Then Vamana grew in size as big as to measured all of the earth in one footstep and for the second footstep he measured all heaven.

There was still one-foot territory left. Mahabali requested Vamana to place the final step on his head as the third step of land. Vamana did so and in doing so, send him down to sutala the heaven-like underworld. The site where he placed his foot to be said the village of Thrikkakara. As a last gift, Mahabali was granted permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus Malayalees celebrate Onam festival as the yearly visit of Mahabali.

Also, there are Earthen hills, which look fairly like square pyramids, speaking to Mahabali, and Vamanan are put in the yards before the house and delightfully improved with blossoms. Known as Onapookkalam, it is a floor covering made out of the assembled blooms with a couple of assortments of foliage of contrasting tints squeezed up into little pieces to fill the decorator’s need. It is a lovely gem achieved with a sensitive touch and a profoundly creative feeling of tone and mixing.

Important of Onam Festival:

This festival is the biggest festival of Kerala. It is celebrated for 10 days. Kerala people believed that soul of King Mahabali visit during the Onam.

Important Days of Onam Festival:

Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated with joy and tradition in Kerala. It starts with Atham (Day 1), when homes are cleaned and decorated with Pookalam (floral designs). Anizham (Day 5) is famous for the exciting Vallamkali, the snake boat race. Uthradam (Day 9) is a day full of temple visits and cultural events as people get ready for the grand day. The main day, Thiruvonam (Day 10), is the most special, as it is believed that King Mahabali visits every home—people wear new clothes, prepare a big feast called Onasadya, and celebrate with love and unity.

What’s Happening in 2025 That Makes It Special?

From what local insiders and tourism boards are saying, this year’s Onam will bring back grand public celebrations that were scaled down in the past few years.

Expect:

• Thrissur’s Onam Week Cultural Fest, complete with Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Pulikali (tiger body-painting dance—yes, it’s as wild as it sounds).
• Athachamayam Parade in Tripunithura, a carnival-like procession with floats, folk art, and drums that you can feel in your chest.
• Boat races in Alleppey and Aranmula—where long snake boats row to rhythmic songs in perfect sync.

You could literally plan your entire trip just hopping from one event to another.

Major Events During Onam:

1) Athachamayam Festival:

On this festival parade held on the street which introduces different Kerala art forms, musicians, dancers, carnival floats, and elephants with beautiful decoration.

2) Pulikali Tiger Dance: 

On this day, people decorate themselves like Tiger and perform the traditional dance.

3) Folk Dances:

Onam is one of those festivals in Kerala which is incomplete without dance performance. People do dance forms like Kaikottikali and Thumbi Thualli.

4) Pookalam:

To celebrate Pookalam, people decorate their floors with flowers. They make their door fronts and temples like flower mats.

5) Snake Boat Race:

During Onam, People celebrate one of the oldest boat race called Aranmula Boat Race. This boat race is held on the Pamba river in Aranmula. They celebrate it as a tradition rather than competition.

6) Onam Sadhya – Festival Food of Kerala:

On this special day, tradition Kerala meal is being prepared such as rice, sambhar, rasam, parippu payasam, etc, and served on a banana leaf for 10 days. This traditional feast is known as “Onam Sadhya” and it is the major highlight of this festival. In Thrikkara Temple of Kerala, thousands of people enjoy this delicious meal throughout 10 days long.

Another tradition in the Onam season is swinging. People used to make a swing in all houses. Traditionally the swing is a long rope tied on the branch of a hardwood tree with a wooden seat. During the festive mood, people wear a new dress. The head of the family distributes new dresses to all family members.

Where to Go During Onam: Best Places to Enjoy the Festival in Kerala

• Thrissur – Known as Kerala’s cultural capital. Expect huge public events and traditional music and dance.
• Kochi – A mix of the old and the new. Fort Kochi has beautiful colonial architecture and a laid-back vibe. Lots of boutique homestays too.
• Alappuzha (Alleppey) – Perfect for the boat races and backwater stays.
• Kottayam & Palakkad – Great spots for more intimate, authentic village celebrations.
• Trivandrum – The state capital sees some grand Onam parades and public programs. It’s buzzy, but not overwhelming.

Things to Keep in Mind When Celebrating Onam in Kerala:

Kerala folks are generally warm and welcoming, but it always helps to keep a few things in mind:

• Dress modestly—especially when attending temple rituals or visiting homes.
• Always remove footwear before entering homes or traditional spaces.
• Don’t be shy, but don’t be intrusive either. If someone’s making a Pookalam, admire it, ask a few questions, maybe even offer to help.

You’ll find most people love explaining what they’re doing. That’s the thing about Onam—it isn’t guarded or exclusive. It wants to be shared.

Is Onam Only for People from Kerala? Not at All!

You don’t need to be Malayali to feel the magic. You don’t even need to understand Malayalam (though picking up a few words like “Nanni” for thank you and “Onashamsakal” for Happy Onam helps).

Onam is about joy, togetherness, and celebrating a time when the world was supposedly fair and kind under a good king. Doesn’t matter where you come from—that idea hits home.

Wrapping Up:

If you’re someone who loves discovering places through their stories, food, music, and everyday rituals—Onam is a goldmine. It’s colourful without being chaotic. Traditional, but not stiff. Emotional, yet lighthearted.

And even if you forget the mythology or can’t pronounce half the dishes right, you’ll remember the feeling. The smiles. The way strangers welcomed you like you’d always belonged.

You know what? Maybe that’s what Mahabali comes back for each year—not just the flowers or the feast—but the feeling of a place where no one is left out.

Image courtesy: Flickr, Wikimedia

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