Keralites across the globe celebrate Onam, honouring annual return of King Mahabali

Mangalore Today News Network

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY ONAM

Mangaluru, Aug 26, 2026: Primarily a harvest festival, Onam is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Malayalis across India and abroad. The celebrations are particularly elaborate in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The 10-day festival is observed during Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Kollavarsham. Onam generally falls in August or September according to the Gregorian calendar, with the exact dates varying each year.

This year, Onam celebrations began on August 16 and culminate on August 26 with Thiruvonam.

History/Significance:

Onam is celebrated to honour the homecoming of a mythical-demon king by the name of Mahabali. Though a demon, he was known for being generous and kind-hearted among the masses. When the gods very insecure and jealous of his popularity, they asked Lord Vishnu to help contain the demon king.

Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called Vamana to visit the kingdom of Mahabali. When inquired about his wishes, Vamana asked the king to grant him land covered by his three feet. Mahabali agreed to fulfill Vamana’s desire without a second thought.

But, Vamana started to grow in size and his first feet covered the earth and with the second he covered the sky. With no place for the third feet, Mahabali requested Vamana to place the third feet on his head, thus, burying himself into Pathala. An impressed Vishnu granted Mahabali the right to visit his people and his kingdom every year during Onam.

Important Days during Onam

The 10 days of Onam are sequentially known as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam.

The celebrations traditionally extend through four important days: Uthradam (First Onam), when preparations for Thiruvonam reach their peak; Thiruvonam (Second Onam), the most important day, when Mahabali is believed to visit his people; Avittam (Third Onam), when preparations begin for Mahabali’s departure; and Chathayam (Fourth Onam), which marks the traditional conclusion of the celebrations.

How is Onam celebrated?

People celebrating Onam traditionally take an early bath, offer prayers, wear new clothes, prepare pookkalam (floral decorations) and participate in cultural programmes and traditional games. Celebrations include Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dance), Thiruvathira, Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (traditional martial art) and other folk activities.

A major highlight of Onam is the traditional feast known as Onam Sadya, which features a variety of vegetarian dishes such as rice, sambar, rasam, avial, thoran, parippu and payasam. The feast is traditionally served on banana leaves and is an integral part of Thiruvonam celebrations.