Festival · August–September

Onam

Also known as Thiruvonam

Kerala’s harvest festival, welcoming home the generous king Mahabali.

Onam falls on the day of the Thiruvonam nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It remembers Mahabali, the king under whose rule all were equal, whom Vishnu as Vamana sent to the netherworld, granting him a yearly visit to his people. Homes lay flower carpets, families share a great feast, and snake boats race on the backwaters.

Why it is kept

It celebrates a remembered age of equality and plenty, and the harvest.

Step by step

How to observe it

Make a pookalam
From Atham, ten days before, a flower carpet is laid at the entrance and grown each day.
Share the Onasadya
On Thiruvonam a vegetarian feast of many dishes is served on a banana leaf.
Wear new clothes
Onakkodi, new clothes, are given and worn.

Customs differ between regions, communities and families. Where your family or temple has its own way, follow it.

Fasting

Not a fasting day.

Fasts should suit your health. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell or on medication should eat, or keep a lighter fast; that is the tradition, not an exception to it.