Malayalis’ most cherished festival, Onam, is back in all its grandeur, blending mythology, nature, and cultural expressions in one of the world’s most inclusive celebrations. This year, the ten-day festival begins on August 26 and culminates with the much-awaited Thiruvonam on September 5, when Malayalis across the globe will celebrate the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali.
At the heart of Onam lies the timeless story of Mahabali, the benevolent Asura king whose golden reign was marked by justice, prosperity, and equality. His unparalleled popularity, however, roused envy among the Devas. Lord Vishnu, disguised as Vamana, tricked Mahabali into surrendering his kingdom and pushed him to the netherworld. Yet, in an act of divine generosity, Vishnu granted Mahabali’s wish to return once a year to visit his beloved subjects. Onam is that homecoming, a season when Malayalis greet their king with warmth, joy, and splendour.
Falling in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Onam coincides with Kerala’s harvest season. The southwest monsoon retreats, leaving the land lush with greenery and fresh shoots of paddy. Historically, an agrarian celebration, Onam symbolises fertility, prosperity, and gratitude to Mother Earth. One of the most enduring images of Onam is the floral carpet, or Pookkalam. Beginning on Atham day, families meticulously arrange flowers in intricate patterns to welcome Mahabali. From humble homes to bustling schools, offices, and tech campuses, Pookkalams bloom everywhere. While once crafted from native flowers, urbanisation now sees blossoms sourced from neighbouring states, yet the creativity and community spirit remain intact.
If Onam has a flavour, it is the Onam Sadhya, a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. Featuring over 20 dishes, the Sadhya includes rice, sambar, avial, olan, erissery, rasam, pickles, chips, pappadam, and the signature payasam or pradhaman. In Malabar, non-vegetarian additions add a local twist. Today, caterers and restaurants deliver Sadhya to homes worldwide, from Kochi to California, ensuring no Malayali misses the taste of tradition. Traditionally, Onam provided women a stage to express artistic talents within joint families. Graceful dance forms like Kaikottikali (a circle dance with rhythmic clapping), Margamkali (Christian adaptation), and Islamic folk traditions like Duffmuttu and Arabanamuttu reflect the festival’s inclusivity.
For men and children, Onam heralds a season of physical games. Onathallu, a combat sport rooted in Kalaripayattu, revives martial traditions. Rural sports and grand boat races, especially the famed Chundan Vallams (snake boats), captivate crowds with oarsmen powering across Kerala’s backwaters in perfect rhythm. Onam has transcended households to become a community spectacle. The Kerala Government’s Onam Week Celebrations showcase classical, folk, and ethnic art across the state. This year, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the festivities on September 3 in Thiruvananthapuram, culminating in a grand pageantry on September 9. Streets will dazzle with illuminations, stages will echo with music and dance, and tourists will witness Kerala’s cultural mosaic in full bloom. “The week-long tourism festival organised by the government highlights Kerala’s finest classical, folk, and ethnic art forms, bringing together hundreds of artists to perform in the capital and at venues across the state. The Onam season also attracts a large influx of tourists, offering them a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant and diverse culture of Kerala firsthand,” said Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas.
Onam has evolved into a global cultural ambassador for Kerala. The Tourism Week Festival attracts thousands of domestic and international visitors, offering them a first-hand experience of Kerala’s traditions. Restaurants in the Middle East, USA, and UK serve Onam Sadhyas, while Malayali associations abroad recreate the festival’s rituals, ensuring the spirit of Onam knows no borders. While Onam celebrates Mahabali’s annual return, traditions like worshipping Thrikkakarayappan, a clay pyramid symbolising Lord Vamana, highlight the paradox of honouring the king’s conqueror. Yet, this irony only enriches Onam’s layered narrative, without dimming the joy of welcoming Mahabali home.
Onam is more than a festival. It is Kerala’s soul expressed in colours, flavours, stories, and smiles. It is about inclusivity, harmony, and gratitude, a timeless celebration that bridges mythology and modernity, faith and festivity, and home and diaspora. This year, as Mahabali returns, Malayalis everywhere will once again prove why Onam remains one of the world’s most enchanting festivals.