Onam Festival of India 2025: What’s It All About?

Onam is a popular festival celebrated in Kerala with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. The word “Onam” is derived from the word “Shravanam” that in Sanskrit refers to one of the twenty-seven constellations. Onam is popularly called by various other names like Thiru-Onam, Thiruvonam, and ‘Sravanmahotsav’. Thiru is the term used for specifying things linked to Lord Vishnu. Thiruvonam implies the constellations of Lord Vishnu who threw the great ruler ‘Mahabali’ to the underworld by his foot.

When is Onam celebrated?

Onam Festival Date: Onam Festival Starts on 26th August 2025 and ends on 04th September 2025.

People in Kerela celebrate Onam every year in the period between August and September. As per the Malayalam calendar, Onam falls at the beginning of “Chingam” which is the 1^st month of the Malayalam calendar. Onam is a ten-day festival that is celebrated by both old and young with high spirits. In 2025, this festival will commence on August 26th and will last until September 04th.

Where is Onam celebrated?

Onam is mainly celebrated by the Malayalis throughout the country. It is majorly celebrated in Kerala where its radiance is equal to any national festival.

Why is the Onam festival celebrated?

People all over Kerala celebrate Onam to mark the return of the great King Mahabali who was thought to be the mighty king that ever-ruled Kerala. People also believed that this king ruled the underworld according to the instructions of Lord Vishnu. King Mahabali was supposed to visit his subjects every year in the period that is celebrated as Onam. Due to this reason, this period is an extravaganza for all Malayalis.

What are the regions in Kerala that are famous for the celebration of the Onam festival?

Though Onam is celebrated in the entire Kerala with gaiety and fun, there is one selected place where people gather to celebrate the festival. This place is Tripunithura, located close to Ernakulam in Kochi. This is also a place where the Athachamayam festival is also celebrated. On this occasion, people dress in the dress of lions and tigers and perform dance performances at Swaraj Round in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The boat race is organized every year in Aranmula on the occasion of Onam. This is one of the prime attractions of this festival.

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What is the Story behind the Onam festival?

The incredible Onam festival is dedicated to the great ruler Mahabali. Though he was a demon by birth but was a noble by deeds and qualities. He was known to be the most impartial and unbiased king who ever ruled Kerala. He was very generous. Under his rule, none of the destitute and poor ever returned disappointed.

As per the belief of the people, King Mahabali sacrificed himself with everything he had to stand true to his words. As a recompense for all the sacrifices made by him, he stays in the memories of the people till today. He along with his followers became immortal in the memories of people and remembered in the form of the celebration of the Onam festival.

What are the ten significant days of the Onam festival?

Onam is a festival of ten days. Each day has a special significance and is celebrated in a special way. The different days of the Onam festival are assigned unique names, relevance, and activities. Let us learn more about the ten days of the Onam festival in detail. 

Onam Day 1 – Atham

This day marks the start of the Onam festival. This day is called Atham. It has a special religious significance when the ruler Mahabali begins his journey toward Earth. Atham is marked by designing the place with yellow flowers. This entire decoration is called Pookalam. The size of these flowers grows gradually with each passing day. On this day, people also installed the sculptures of King Mahabali and Vamana in their houses.

Onam Day 2 – Chithira

This day is called Chithira. It is the second day of the Onam festival. On this day, people add one more layer of yellow flowers to Pookalam. People also cleaned their houses on this day to make them presentable for the arrival of King Mahabali.

Onam Day 3 – Chodi

The third day of the Onam festival is called Chodi. On this day also people add yellow flowers to Pookalam and begin to indulge in shopping.

Onam Day 4 – Vishakam

The fourth day of this festival is called Vishakam. From this day onwards, several types of competitions began to be organized in Kerala.

Onam Day 5 – Anizham

The fifth day of the Onam festival is called Anizham. On this day, the Vallamkali boat race begins to be performed in different regions of Kerala.

Onam Day 6 – Thriketa

The sixth day of the Onam festival is called Thriketa. From this day onwards, the major celebration of the festival begins. Schools also get closed from this day till the completion of the Onam festival.

Onam Day 7 – Moolam

The seventh day of Onam is called Moolam. On this day, several dance performances are organized. The entire state gets decorated gorgeously by this time.

Onam Day 8 – Pooradam

The eighth day of the Onam festival is called Pooradam. On this day the idols of King Mahabali and Vamana are thoroughly washed and placed in the center of the beautiful decoration “Pookalam”.  Now the decoration looks large and grand.

Onam Day 9 – Uthradom

The ninth day of the Onam festival is called Uthradom. This auspicious day holds a very important significance among the people of Kerala. On this day, people indulge in purchasing fresh vegetables and fruits from the market. Women also prepare grand and lavish traditional meals. It is a belief that on this day the great King Mahabali reaches the Kerala state. The whole environment at this time is full of bliss and happiness to give a warm welcome to the King.

Onam Day 10 – Thiruonam

The ten-day-long Onam festival ends on this day. The tenth day is called Thiruonam. On this day, all the preparations take the form of final celebrations. People wake up early and take a bath, distribute gifts, and attend special prayers in temples. The outstanding Thiruona Sadya or Onam special food is prepared by all the households. In addition, various types of competitions are organized in different areas of the state.

How do people celebrate the Onam festival in India?

The Athachamayam festival is organized at Tripunithura, close to Ernakulam. This celebration marks the beginning of the Onam festival celebrations. On the first day (Atham) of Onam, the Maharaja of Kochi departs from Tripunithura to reach Thrikkakara Temple. Their departure is featured in the form of a street parade accompanied by musicians, floats decorated with elephants, and several traditional art forms of Kerala.

The elephant procession is another eagerly awaited event of the Onam festival. This majestic animal is ornated with flowers, gold ornaments, and other precious metals. It takes a complete round of Thrissur where the procession is organized. While covering the distance, the elephant dances as well as interacts with people via little gestures on his way.

On reaching Thrikkakara Temple, there is a flag hoisting ceremony conducted on Atham. This ceremony commences the ten-day celebrations with music, dance, and cultural performances. The prime deity, Vamana, is brought around the grounds of the temple on an elephant. This is trailed by an assembly of ornate elephants.

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What To Do Onam: Activities For Celebrating Kerala’s Festival

In the Thrissur region, a few unusual activities occur during the festival. Grass-clad and masked Kummatti dance performers come to the streets to amuse people on the last four major days of the Onam festival. Men are dressed up in the appearance of a tiger. They also perform the traditional pulik kali folk dance for a few days posts the culmination of the Onam festival.

Masked artists carry out the ‘Kummatti dance’ on the roads in Thrissur, Kerala. Snake boat races form the major attraction and the most entertaining event of this festival. Close to a hundred boatmen contest with each other in this competition. All the boats that are part of this festival are ornated beautifully in varying patterns. Women and men from all parts of the city come to enjoy this race.

Each day of the Onam festival has its beauty and ceremonial significance. People house deities in their houses and temple authorities perform different types of rituals on all the days of the festival. On each day the sculpture of Lord Vamana is adorned like one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

On the first day of Onam, Atham, people take an early bath and perform prayers. They create floral decorations called “Pookalams” on the floor of their houses to greet king Mahabali. This floral decoration continues till the last day of the Onam festival. Various organizations also conduct Pookalam competitions where people showcase their talent by making the best Pookalams.

People indulge in playing games and buying new clothes. The Kerala government holds “Tourism Week” during Onam. The grand culture of Kerala is showcased at the time of organizing special events and activities in Trivandrum.

Onakalikal is a game played by people at the Onam festival. Talappanthukali is one of the favorite games among men that is played with a ball. People also indulge in archery or Ambeyyal. Women participate in several cultural dances. One of the popular traditional dances is Kaikottikali or a clap dance. Another significant folk dance form is Thumbi Thullal that is performed in circles. Women dance and pay tribute to King Mahabali.

One of the important highlights of this festival is Onasadya. It is a grand feast prepared by the households and presented on a banana leaf on the day of Thiru Onam. This is an elaborate 9-course meal that comprises a minimum of 4 to 5 vegetables. The number of vegetables used for the preparation of the meal differs from one household to another. Onasadya is served daily at Thrikkakara Temple. Thousands of people gather at the temple to attend this feast held on the main day of the Onam festival.

Conclusion

Onam is viewed as the National festival of Kerala. If you are planning a trip to Kerala to experience the fun and thrill of this land, then the best time would be the commencement of the Onam festival. The exciting ceremonies linked with this festival contribute to making the Onam celebrations spectacular.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is Onam?

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, India, marking the homecoming of King Mahabali and showcasing Kerala’s rich culture.

2. When will Onam be celebrated in 2025?

Onam starts on August 26, 2025, with the grand celebration day, Thiruvonam, falling on September 4, 2025.

3. Why is Onam significant?

Onam is a tribute to the mythical King Mahabali, whose reign was considered a golden era of prosperity and equality in Kerala.

4. How long does the Onam festival last?

The festival lasts for 10 days, starting with Atham and culminating on Thiruvonam, the most important day.

5. What are the key rituals during Onam?

Rituals include creating Pookalam (flower rangoli), wearing traditional attire, preparing the Onam Sadya feast, and performing cultural dances.

6. What is Onam Sadya?

Onam Sadya is a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, featuring dishes like avial, sambar, rasam, payasam, and banana chips.

7. What cultural activities happen during Onam?

Activities include Kathakali performances, Pulikali tiger dances, Vallamkali (snake boat races), and traditional games like Onakalikal.

8. Where is Onam celebrated most prominently?

While Onam is celebrated across Kerala, cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Thrissur host grand festivities and cultural events.

9. What is Vallamkali, and why is it special?

Vallamkali is a traditional snake boat race held during Onam, symbolizing teamwork and community spirit, especially on the Pamba River.

10. Can tourists participate in Onam celebrations?

Yes, tourists are welcome to join public events, watch performances, and enjoy Onam Sadya at local restaurants or cultural centers.

11. What should I wear during Onam celebrations?

Traditional Kerala attire like Mundu for men and Kasavu Saree for women is commonly worn during the festival.

12. How can I experience Onam if I’m visiting Kerala in 2025?

Plan your trip around Thiruvonam, attend cultural events, enjoy a traditional Onam feast, and visit famous snake boat race venues for a memorable experience.