Onam 2025 Festival Celebration

Onam 2025 Celebrations Festival Details

Onam is a major, annual harvest festival celebrated in the South Indian state of Kerala. The kaleidoscopic festival is a ten-day-long cultural fiesta, which for the Malayalis falls in the month of Chingam (August-September), celebrating the return of the legendary ruler King Mahabali. It is the most significant festival for Malayalis and is an integral part of their culture and tradition.

Onam 2025 Date

Onam in 2025 is on Tuesday, 26 August 2025.

What Is the Story of Onam Festival?

Onam, celebrated on the southwest coast of India, is a popular and colourful Hindu harvest festival and is the most important regional festival of God's Own Country, Kerala. The background of Onam lies in the history of King Mahabali’s era.

In Hinduism, Mahabali was a great and goodly king with qualities of wisdom, generosity, and just rule. His reign was considered a golden period of prosperity and peace in Kerala. It is said that in his time, all people were content, and there was no misery or need.

King Mahabali was pushed back to the pits by Lord Vishnu in his Vamana Brahmin dwarf avatar, due to the latter’s daridrata annihilating the equilibrium of the Universe. Vamana begged for alms from King Mahabali, and the king agreed to give him whatever he asked for. His adviser warned him, but Mahabali offered the sage whatever he wanted.

The entire universe was covered in two strides by Vamana, the dwarfish incarnation. On the third step, King Mahabali himself gave his own head when he realized that Vamana was Lord Vishnu. Impressed by the generosity and humility of Mahabali, Lord Vishnu blessed him so that he could visit his people once every year.

Onam marks the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, who is welcomed with 'pookalams' and songs celebrating his reign. The festival symbolizes the return of the beloved king, whose rule was a golden era wherein people were equal, rich, and happy.

The citizens of Kerala ornate their homes, design floral arrangements such as pookalam, cook Onam sadya, and take part in a series of cultural events and rituals to welcome King Mahabali and celebrate the values he stood for.

The festival is a tribute to the culture and rich traditions of Kerala. It is all about bringing together the feeling of humanity, unity, and prosperity, combined with a sense of goodness and harmony to the Gods gathered to grace the land with an air of pious simplicity. It is this spirit that is cherished and celebrated during Onam.

Onam Celebration in Kerala

Onam is a joyous and vibrant festival lasting over ten days with the onset of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September). Here’s a summary of the usual shenanigans at the Onam celebration:

• Atham: Onam starts with Atham, the first day of the festival. People begin preparations by cleaning their houses and creating pookalam, an intricate floral design, at the entrance.

• Pookalam: Every day during Onam, the Pookalam (flower carpet) becomes larger and more intricate. These floral carpets are art pieces made from flower petals, designed and sketched by families.

• Cultural Shows: Various cultural programs are organized, including Kathakali (a traditional dance form), Pulikali (tiger dance), and Thumbi Thullal (women's folk dance).

• Onam Sadya: The grand feast is the central part of the celebrations—an extravagant vegetarian meal served on banana leaves with dishes like rice, sambar, avial, thoran, olan, pachadi, and payasam.

• Traditional Dressing: Women wear Kerala sarees, while men don Mundu (a dhoti) with a traditional shirt, adding cultural depth to the festivities.

• Boat Races (Vallam Kali): Ornately decorated traditional boats compete in colorful races, attracting crowds across the region.

• Shopping and Gifting: The season is marked by buying new clothes (Onakkodi) and exchanging gifts to spread joy.

• Games and Competitions: Traditional games like Vadamvali, cultural processions, and flower arrangement competitions foster team spirit.

• Temple Visits/Cultural Programs: Families visit temples, offer prayers, and participate in folklore and cultural shows.

• Charity: Onam is a time for sharing, with many contributing to the needy to uphold peace and goodwill.

Onam is a period of great excitement, cultural splendor, and togetherness when people of all walks of life join to celebrate the spirit of oneness, prosperity, and happiness.

What is Onam Pookalam?

Pookalam is a colorful and complex arrangement of flowers with deep cultural significance during Onam. Here’s a closer look:

• Custom and Tradition: Meaning "flower carpet," it is a detailed floral design made with petals in various colors, welcoming King Mahabali.

• Design and Creation: Started on Atham day, the Pookalam grows in size and intricacy daily, culminating on Thiruvonam. Families use flowers like marigolds, chrysanthemums, dahlias, and jasmine.

• Patterns and Themes: Designs include geometric shapes, concentric circles, and cultural motifs like lotus flowers or mythical creatures.

• Competitions: Pookalam contests highlight artistry and add festive fervor.

• Symbolism: Represents peace, unity, and the harvest spirit, bringing families and neighbors together.

• Rituals: A portion is reserved for invoking deities before the main design begins.

Pookalam is a cherished tradition reflecting Kerala’s heritage, artistry, and communal harmony.

Simple & Easy Onam Pookalam Designs 2025

Popular designs include:

• Athapookalam: Simple floral patterns on Atham day, often circular.

• Concentric Circles: Bright, layered designs forming a central focal point.

• Ashtadala Pookalam: Eight-petaled lotus symbolizing prosperity.

• Theme-Based: Peacocks, elephants, or traditional lamps (Nilavilakku).

• Rangoli-Inspired: Mixed with colored powders for added detail.

• Contemporary Styles: Modern twists while retaining tradition.

• Community Efforts: Neighborhoods collaborate on large-scale designs.

Onam Flowers Names in English

Key flowers used in Pookalam:

• Athapoo (Thumba): Small white star-shaped flowers.

• Chethi (Ixora): Red, orange, or yellow blooms.

• Mukkutti: Tiny yellow petals for intricate detailing.

• Chemparathy (Hibiscus): Bold red, pink, or yellow flowers.

• Jamanthi (Chrysanthemum): White, yellow, or orange layers.

• Poovankurunnila (Golden Shower): Yellow Cassia fistula flowers.

• Rose & Jasmine: For fragrance and variety.

• Others: Marigolds, dahlias, and local blooms for richness.

These flowers enhance Onam’s festive spirit, symbolizing nature’s bounty and joy.