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Onam
Kerala's harvest festival honouring King Mahabali's homecoming.
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Festival Overview
What is Onam?
Kerala's harvest festival honouring King Mahabali's homecoming.
ReligionHinduism
CategoryHarvest
Celebrated inIndia
Duration10 days
ReachKerala, India
History, Origin & Significance
The Story Behind Onam
Onam is an annual harvest and Hindu cultural festival celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala and is traditionally associated with the legend of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala, returning each year to visit his people. A major annual event for Keralites, it is the official festival of the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events.
Source: Wikipedia — Onam
At a Glance
Celebration & Rituals
10 days of celebration
Observances stretch across 10 days of rituals and gatherings.
Pookalam flower carpets
The most recognisable custom of Onam.
Kerala, India
Communities across 1 country take part.
Onasadya (26-dish feast)
A signature dish closely associated with the celebration.
Flavours of the Celebration
Food & Culture
No Onam celebration is complete without its signature dishes, shared with family and community throughout the festivities.
Onasadya (26-dish feast)PayasamSarkara Varatti
Customs & Practices
Traditions
The customs practised during Onam vary by region, but these are the most widely recognised.
Pookalam flower carpetsVallam Kali boat racesOnasadya feastPulikali tiger dance
Duration
Onam Timeline
Day 1 — Opening · Aug 26, 2026
Pookalam flower carpets
Day 2
Vallam Kali boat races
Day 3
Onasadya feast
Day 4
Pulikali tiger dance
Day 5
Pookalam flower carpets
Day 6
Vallam Kali boat races
Day 7
Onasadya feast
Day 8
Pulikali tiger dance
Day 9
Pookalam flower carpets
Day 10 — Closing
Vallam Kali boat races
Where It's Celebrated
Location & Country Details
Celebrated In
🇮🇳 India
Primarily celebrated in Kerala, India. Detailed country facts (capital, currency, languages) need a REST Countries API key configured — see .env.example.
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Travel Information
Best time to plan around
Typically celebrated in September.
Where to go
India
- Rural and regional areas often host the most authentic celebrations.
- Seasonal produce and street food are usually at their best.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Onam falls on Aug 26, 2026 (estimated date — exact timing can vary by region or calendar reckoning).
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