Hindu festival
Onam
In short
Onam is Kerala's harvest festival, set by the Thiruvonam nakshatra in the month of Chingam. It welcomes the beloved king Mahabali on his yearly visit, and is kept with flower carpets, a grand feast (Onam Sadya), boat races, and dance.
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When is Onam?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- The Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Chingam
- Calendar
- Set by nakshatra (lunar mansion)
- Deity
- Vishnu (Vamana)
Onam is set by a nakshatra (lunar mansion) rather than a tithi — the Thiruvonam star in Chingam — and falls in the Gregorian window of late August to September.
The story
Onam remembers the just and generous king Mahabali, in whose reign, legend says, all were equal and happy. Vishnu, as the dwarf Vamana, sent him to the netherworld but granted him one yearly return to see his people — and Onam is that homecoming.
It is Kerala's great cultural festival, transcending community, kept with joy and plenty as a welcome to the good king and a celebration of the harvest.
How it’s celebrated
Homes lay intricate flower carpets (pookalam), families share the grand vegetarian Onam Sadya on a banana leaf, and there are snake-boat races (vallam kali), dances, and games welcoming King Mahabali.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya
I bow to Narayana (Vishnu), the refuge and resting place of all beings.
More Hindu festivals
About Onam
When is Onam?
On the Thiruvonam nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Chingam — falling between late August and September. The exact date is set by the panchang each year.
What does Onam celebrate?
The yearly homecoming of the benevolent king Mahabali, and Kerala's harvest — kept with flower carpets, a grand feast, and boat races.
Mark Onam with Bhagavan
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