Onam festival 2025Image Credit Source: Getty Images
Onam Festival 2025 Date: India is a country of diversities and different festivals are celebrated with great pomp in every field here. Onam is the largest and special festival in South India, especially celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm in the state of Kerala. This festival lasts for 10 days and this year it has started since 26 August 2025. It will conclude on 5 September 2025, which is called Thiruvonam.
The main festival of Onam will be celebrated on this day
The festival of Onam is celebrated in the month of Chingam of the Malayalam calendar. This festival lasts for 10 days, which has its own special significance. This year, Onam started with ‘Atham’ and its main festival i.e. ‘Thiruvonam’ will be celebrated on 5 September 2025, Friday. This day is the most important day of celebration, when people make various dishes to welcome Mahabali and participate in cultural activities.
Why is Onam so special?
King Mahabali’s return: The main importance of Onam is related to mythology. This festival is a symbol of the return of the Asuras King Mahabali to meet his people. It is believed that Mahabali was a very fair and Danveer king, under whose reign, there was happiness and prosperity in Kerala. But with his growing popularity, Devraj Indra started feeling insecure. Then, Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana (dwarf Brahmin) and asked King Mahabali to donate three steps.
Mahabali gladly donated this. In the first step, Vamana measured the entire sky in the whole earth and the second step. When there was no place left for the third step, King Mahabali put his head forward. Pleased with the king’s charity and devotion, Lord Vishnu sent him to the Hades, but also gave the boon that he could return to the earth to meet his subjects once a year. This is the reason that on Onam, the people of Kerala start preparing to welcome their king.
Onam traditions and customs
Pukkalam: For 10 days of Onam, beautiful Rangoli is made from fresh flowers in the courtyard of houses. Every day a new layer is added to it, which makes it very and more complex. It is a symbol of the reception of King Mahabali.
Onam Sadya: The biggest attraction of Onam is ‘Onam Sadya’, which is a grand vegetarian banquet of more than 26 dishes. These dishes are served on banana leaves and include various types of vegetables, pulses, pickles and sweets.
Vallam Kali: Kerala’s famous boat race ‘Vallakali’ is also part of the Onam festival. A large number of people gather to see this race.
Pulkali: It is also called ‘Tiger Dance’. During this time people dance their body like a tiger and dance. It shows the vibrancy and energy of the festival.
Other Cultural Programs: Traditional folk dances such as Cacotical and Kathakali are also organized during Onam. People wear new clothes and express their happiness by giving gifts to each other.
Crop celebration: Onam is also a crop celebration. It celebrates the beginning of the harvesting season of new crop in Kerala. It is a festival to express our gratitude to nature and farmers.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV 9 India does not confirm this.