About Onam Festival

Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala during the Malayali month of Chingam (August and September). It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. Onam is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals which is still celebrated with a great devotion. 

Onam is celebrated for ten days - Atham is the first day and Thiruvonam is the final day of the celebration. People wear new clothes, decorate their houses and put flower carpet called 'Pookalam' in front of their houses. Special pujas are offered in the temples in early morning and younger members take blessings and gifts from the elder members of the family. During Onam traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast with twenty-one homemade curries and sweet payasam on plantain leaf. Spectacular Carnivals of elephants, fireworks, boat races, music and the famous Kathakalli dance are traditionally associated with this festival. The state government of Karala conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing Kerala's beauty and culture.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates ‘Tourist Week’ for Kerala during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam.