- Ten days, Atham to Thiruvonam
- Malayalam month of Chingam
- National festival of Kerala
Where it began
Onam falls in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, when the monsoon eases and the fields are full. The main day, Thiruvonam, is named after the Onam star (Shravana).
Legend says Kerala was once ruled by Mahabali, a kind Asura king under whom everyone was equal and no one was poor. The god Vishnu came as Vamana, a small Brahmin boy, and asked for three steps of land. With two steps he covered the earth and sky, and Mahabali offered his own head for the third. Pleased by his devotion, Vamana let the king visit his people once a year. Onam is that visit.
The festival is also linked with the Vamana temple at Thrikkakara near Kochi, which old songs and temple records tie to the start of Onam.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
Tamil Sangam poems mention a festival of Onam kept in the land of the Cheras.
Medieval period
Temple records from the Thrikkakara area describe Onam rites, and the festival grew around the harvest.
Royal era
The Kochi kings led the Atham procession at Thrippunithura, a custom that still opens the season.
1961
Onam was declared the national festival of Kerala, and a tourism week grew around it.
Today
Onam is kept by Hindus, Christians and Muslims alike, at home, in offices, schools and across the world.
How it is celebrated in different places
Thrippunithura, Kerala
The Atham Athachamayam procession opens Onam with floats, drums and folk art.
Aranmula, Kerala
Long snake boats race on the Pamba river in the Uthrattathi boat race, with rowers singing boat songs.
Thrissur, Kerala
Pulikali dancers painted as tigers dance through the streets on the fourth day of Onam.
Gulf countries
Large Malayali groups hold Onam Sadya feasts and cultural evenings, often for weeks after the day.
UK, US and Australia
Malayali associations lay Pookalam carpets, serve Sadya on banana leaves and stage Thiruvathira dances.
Onam moments
Onam today
Each morning of the ten days, families add a new ring of flowers to the Pookalam in front of the house. On Thiruvonam, everyone wears new clothes (Onakkodi) and sits down to the Sadya, a feast of many dishes served on a banana leaf and ending with payasam.
Swings hang from trees, women dance Thiruvathira in circles, and games and boat races fill the days. Shops hold Onam sales, and Kerala welcomes visitors with lights and cultural shows.
