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Onam is the biggest and most celebrated festival in the Indian state of Kerala. A 10-day-long harvest festival, Onam beautifully blends tradition, culture, and community spirit. It honors the homecoming of King Mahabali, whose reign is believed to have brought prosperity and happiness.
In 2025, Onam will begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, with the grand Thiruvonam day falling on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
📅 Onam 2025 Dates
Onam is a 10-day festival based on the Malayalam calendar, starting on Atham and culminating on Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam.
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Start of Onam (Atham): September 2, 2025 (Tuesday)
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Thiruvonam (Main Day): September 10, 2025 (Wednesday)
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Third & Fourth Onam (Post Celebrations): September 11–12, 2025
🕰️ Historical & Mythological Significance
Onam is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The festival celebrates the annual visit of King Mahabali, a just and generous ruler who was sent to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar. It is believed that Mahabali returns to visit his people every year during Onam.
His reign is remembered as a time of perfect equality, joy, and abundance—making Onam a symbol of Kerala’s golden age.
🌾 Cultural Significance
Onam marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time when the state comes alive with colors, music, dance, and elaborate rituals. The celebrations transcend religion and caste, emphasizing unity and inclusiveness.
🎉 How Onam is Celebrated
🌸 1. Pookalam (Floral Rangoli)
Each day leading up to Thiruvonam, Keralites create intricate floral patterns on the ground using fresh flowers. These are known as Pookalams and grow in size and complexity each day.
🍛 2. Onam Sadhya (Feast)
On Thiruvonam, families prepare and enjoy a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. The Onam Sadhya includes over 20 dishes like:
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Avial
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Thoran
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Sambar
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Olan
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Payasam (sweet pudding)
🚣 3. Vallam Kali (Snake Boat Races)
Held in the backwaters of Kerala, Vallam Kali is a traditional boat race featuring long, narrow boats rowed by hundreds of oarsmen. It’s a thrilling event that draws large crowds and tourists.
🥻 4. Traditional Attire and Dances
People wear traditional clothes—men in white mundu and women in Kerala sarees. Cultural performances such as:
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Thiruvathira Kali
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Pulikali (Tiger Dance)
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Kathakali
are performed across communities.
🛍️ 5. Shopping and Gifting
Onam is also a time for buying new clothes, known as Onakkodi, and exchanging gifts. Markets buzz with sales, and families decorate their homes with lamps and flowers.
📍 Onam Beyond Kerala
While Onam is a regional festival, it is celebrated by Malayali communities across the globe—in cities like Dubai, Singapore, London, and the US, local groups organize cultural shows and community feasts to mark the occasion.
🌍 Global Recognition
Thanks to its vibrant traditions and inclusive spirit, Onam is recognized as a State Festival of Kerala and has gained global admiration. Tourists often flock to Kerala during this season to experience the grandeur firsthand.
🧘 Spiritual Aspect of Onam
Onam is not only a festival of joy but also of reflection. It reminds us of:
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The ephemeral nature of power and ego (through the story of Mahabali)
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The importance of humility and generosity
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The value of community harmony and sustainable living
📝 Conclusion
Onam 2025, beginning on September 2 and culminating on Thiruvonam, September 10, will once again bring together people of all backgrounds to celebrate Kerala’s rich cultural tapestry. Whether it’s through the colors of Pookalam, the taste of Onam Sadhya, or the rhythm of boat races, Onam continues to be a festival that brings smiles, togetherness, and gratitude.