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Onam 2025 in India

05 September
Onam India Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Dates of Onam in India

2025Sep 5
2024Sep 15

India Holiday Calendars

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, marking the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. It is observed with grand festivities, including floral rangolis (Pookalam), traditional feasts (Onam Sadhya), boat races, and cultural performances, symbolizing prosperity and unity.

Onam: A Public Holiday?

Onam is a public holiday in Kerala, where schools, offices, and businesses remain closed to allow people to celebrate the festival. In other parts of India, it is not observed as a public holiday.

Beautifully designed Pookalam, a traditional floral rangoli, crafted to celebrate the festive spirit of Onam.
Beautifully designed Pookalam, a traditional floral rangoli created for Onam, symbolizes prosperity, unity, and the festive spirit. (Image credit: iStock)

Onam

Onam is a major harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, with its origins rooted in Hindu mythology. The festival commemorates the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to have ruled Kerala during a golden age of prosperity, equality, and happiness. According to the story, Lord Vishnu took his fifth incarnation as Vamana to end Mahabali's reign, not because he was unjust but to restore cosmic balance. As a boon, Mahabali was allowed to visit his people once a year, and Onam marks this joyous occasion. Over time, Onam has become a symbol of Kerala's cultural identity, transcending religious boundaries.

Onam Celebration in India

Onam is celebrated with grandeur and enthusiasm across Kerala and among Malayali communities worldwide. The ten-day festival begins with Atham and concludes with Thiruvonam, the most auspicious day. Homes are decorated with intricate floral rangolis called Pookalam, symbolizing a warm welcome for King Mahabali. A significant festival highlight is the Onam Sadhya, a grand vegetarian feast on banana leaves featuring traditional dishes like avial, sambar, and payasam. Cultural events such as Vallamkali (snake boat races), Pulikali (tiger dance), Kathakali performances, and folk music reflect Kerala's rich heritage.

The festival holds immense significance, symbolizing unity, prosperity, and gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Onam transcends religious and cultural boundaries, bringing people together to celebrate the values of equality and harmony that King Mahabali's rule represented. Beyond its mythological and agricultural roots, Onam is a time for family reunions, community bonding, and preserving Kerala's cultural traditions. It is a festival and a celebration of shared her

Onam Observances

YearDateWeekdayNameHoliday Type
2024Sep 15SunOnamRestricted Holiday
2025Sep 5FriOnamRestricted Holiday

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