Onam
Kerala's 10-day harvest festival — homecoming of King Mahabali.
Gregorian date
26 August 2026
Wednesday
Tithi
Thiruvonam nakshatra in Malayalam Chingam month
Bhadrapada (August – September)
Duration
10-day
Regional emphasis
Kerala
Also known as
Thiruvonam · Kerala Harvest Festival
Significance
A 10-day festival commemorating the annual return of the legendary king Mahabali (Maveli) to visit his subjects. Considered the secular festival of Kerala — celebrated by Hindus, Christians, Muslims alike. Concludes with Thiruvonam, the main day, marked by Onam Sadya (a feast of 25+ vegetarian dishes on banana leaf).
What happens on the day
- •Day 1 (Atham): start the Pookalam (flower carpet) at the entrance
- •Days 2-9: expand the Pookalam each day with new flowers
- •Day 10 (Thiruvonam): Onam Sadya — 25+ dish feast on banana leaf
- •Kaikottikali / Thiruvathirakali (women's circular dance)
- •Vallamkali (Kerala's snake-boat races, in some regions)
About the month of Bhadrapadaभाद्रपद
Hosts Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Utsav), Vishwakarma Puja. Concludes with Pitru Paksha — a 16-day window for ancestor offerings.
More festivals in Bhadrapada
Hartalika Teej
15 September 2026 · Shukla Tritiya
The strictest of married-women fasts — no food, no water for 24 hours.
Ganesh Chaturthi
16 September 2026 · Shukla Chaturthi
Ten days of Ganesha — homecoming, then farewell on Anant Chaturdashi.
Pitru Paksha
26 September 2026 · Krishna Pratipada to Krishna Amavasya
A 16-day window for ancestor offerings — major life events suspended.