Onam 2025 is Kerala’s grand harvest homecoming – ten joy-filled days of pookalam (flower carpets), Onam Sadhya (the legendary vegetarian feast), boat races, folk arts, and family reunions. Rooted in the tale of King Mahabali’s annual visit, the Onam festival blends devotion with dazzling community celebrations across the state and among Malayalis worldwide. If you’ve been wondering what is Onam, when is Onam 2025, or why this festival matters, this guide has your answers – plus traditions, key dates, Sadhya essentials, popular flowers for your pookalam, and festive greetings in Malayalam and Hindi to wish everyone a “Happy Onam!”
Onam 2025: Festival Calendar & Key Date
- Onam 2025 festival window: Tuesday, August 26 – Friday, September 5, 2025 (10-day observance).
- Thiruvonam (Main Onam day): Friday, September 5, 2025.
- Thiruvonam Nakshathram (star) timing: Begins 11:44 PM, Sep 4; ends 11:38 PM, Sep 5 (Kerala local time).
- First Onam (Uthradam): Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Tip: You’ll also see extended community festivities over the weekend with Third Onam (Avittom) on Sep 6 and Fourth Onam (Chathayam) on Sep 7 in many places.
What Is Onam & Why Is The Festival Celebrated
Onam marks the annual homecoming of King Mahabali, the benevolent ruler whose reign symbolized equality and prosperity. According to tradition, Lord Vishnu (as Vamana) granted Mahabali a yearly visit to his people, celebrated as Thiruvonam. The festival also ushers in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, aligning with the new agricultural cycle.
The 10 Days of Onam (Atham to Thiruvonam)
Though celebrations span 10 days, here are the highlights often observed across Kerala:
- Atham: Festival opens; pookalam begins; Athachamayam procession at Tripunithura.
- Chithira & Chodhi: Pookalam grows; shopping and house prep.
- Visakam & Anizham: Sadhya prep starts; snake boat events build up (Anizham).
- Thriketta & Moolam: Family gatherings and cultural programs.
- Pooradam: Clay idols (Onathappan) prepared; big home clean-up.
- Uthradam (First Onam): Final Sadhya prep; markets bustle.
- Thiruvonam: The main day – rituals, gifting, Onam Sadhya, pookalam at its finest.
Signature Celebrations Across Kerala
- Pookalam (Flower Carpets): Everyday additions from Atham to Thiruvonam with intricate geometric and floral patterns.
- Onam Sadhya (Feast): A lavish vegetarian meal served on banana leaves—more on the menu below.
- Vallamkali (Boat Races): The famed Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race on the Pamba River (Pathanamthitta) happens around the Onam period and in 2025 is scheduled on September 9 on the Uthrittathi asterism (per Kerala Tourism’s calendar).
- Pulikali (Tiger Dance), Thrissur: A riot of color and rhythm, Pulikali is listed for September 8, 2025 at Swaraj Round, Thrissur, in the official festival calendar.
Onam Sadhya: What’s on the Leaf (Onam Sadhya, Onam Festival Food)
Traditionally served on a banana leaf, the Onam Sadhya features a harmony of flavors and textures – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent – balanced across 20–28+ dishes. A representative Sadhya may include:
- Rice with parippu (moong dal) + ghee; sambar, rasam, koottu, olan, kalan, avial, erissery
- Thoran (stir-fry), mezhukkupuratti (sautéed veg), pachadi/kichadi (curd-based sides)
- Pickles (mango, lime), inji puli (ginger-tamarind), papadam, banana chips, sharkara varatti (jaggery-coated chips)
- Payasam/Pradhaman (desserts): Ada pradhaman, palada, parippu payasam, chakka (jackfruit) pradhaman, semiya, gothambu, and more – payasam varieties are a celebrated climax of the Sadhya.
Onam Pookalam: Flowers & Ideas (Onam Pookalam, Onam Flowers)
Common Onam flowers include marigold (chendumalli), chrysanthemum, jasmine, ixora (chethi), globe amaranth (vadamalli), oleander, and leaves/petals for contrast. Start with simple concentric rings from Atham, adding complexity daily until Thiruvonam. (General cultural practice; align colors to your theme. For public competitions, check local guidelines.)
Travel & Event Notes (For Planners)
- Pulikali (Thrissur): Sep 8, 2025 (Swaraj Round).
- Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race: Sep 9, 2025 (Pamba River, Pathanamthitta).
- Major towns (Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode) host large public pookalam contests, cultural nights, and temple events – arrive early and confirm local schedules.
Onam Beyond Kerala: Where Else Is It Celebrated
While Onam is celebrated in Kerala with unmatched grandeur, the festival has traveled with the Malayali diaspora to many parts of India and abroad. Cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi host community gatherings, cultural programs, and Onam Sadhya feasts organized by Kerala associations. Internationally, countries with large Malayali populations, such as the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA, also see vibrant Onam festivities, complete with pookalam contests, traditional dance, and cultural showcases. These events make it possible for Malayalis worldwide to feel at home and wish each other a heartfelt “Happy Onam.”
Onam Celebrations in Kerala: Where to Experience the Best
If you’re in Kerala during Onam 2025, some destinations offer iconic celebrations:
- Thrissur: Famous for the Pulikali (tiger dance) and public processions.
- Aranmula (Pathanamthitta): Witness the legendary Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali (snake boat race).
- Kochi (Ernakulam): Hosts massive pookalam competitions, temple festivities, and cultural evenings.
- Thiruvananthapuram: The capital sees illuminated streets, Kathakali shows, and traditional Onam fairs.
- Kottayam & Alappuzha: Popular for village-style celebrations and boat races in nearby backwaters.
For visitors, public venues, temples, and cultural centers are the best places to soak in the festive atmosphere, watch vibrant Onam pookalam, and taste authentic Onam Sadhya.
Summing Up
Onam 2025 peaks on Friday, September 5 (Thiruvonam), with the broader festival running August 26–September 5. Mark your calendar, gather your flowers, plan your Onam Sadhya menu, and get ready to celebrate the spirit of unity and abundance – whether in Kerala or anywhere Malayalis call home. Happy Onam – Onam āśamsakaḷ!
