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By Maitree Choube
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Updated on 29 Aug 2025, 12:50 IST
Onam, the largest of the Kerala festivals is celebrated with great joy for over a period of ten days in the Malayalam month of chingam, which normally falls in the months of August and September. The celebrations for this year start on 26th August and go on till Friday, 5th September in 2025.
The festival is connected with the legend of a king Mahabali, the ruler with kind and generous demeanour, beloved by his subjects. The mythology states that the gods were scared of his increasing strength, and they requested Lord Vishnu to step in. Vishnu entered as Vamana, a small Brahmin boy and brought with him Mahabali to the underworld. But Mahabali was blessed and was allowed to visit his people once at a year. Onam celebrates his coming back and the joy of that golden period.
Onam is a harvest festival as well as the Indian celebration of the rich culture of Kerala. It is celebrated by people through Pookalam (flowers decorations), exciting Vallam Kali (snake boat races) and Onasadya, the famous grand vegetarian dinner on banana leaves. It is also known as state festival in Kerala which brings happiness and unity to the family and community.
Onam is important as it honors the rich culture and tradition of Kerala and its unity. It reminds the glory of the golden rule of King Mahabali when everybody was happy and equal. The festival brings families together through food, dance, and rituals. It also expresses gratitude for a good harvest, showing the bond between people and nature. Above all, Onam spreads the message of love, equality, and togetherness in society.
Onam is the most joyful harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated with great excitement every year. It marks the return of the noble King Mahabali, who is remembered for his kindness and justice.
People welcome him with colorful flower carpets called pookalam, delicious feasts known as Onam Sadhya, and traditional boat races. Families wear new clothes, exchange sweets, and enjoy folk dances like Thiruvathira.
The ten-day festival also reflects unity and equality, as everyone celebrates together. Onam is not just about rituals, but also about love, culture, and the spirit of sharing happiness with others.
Onam is one of the most important festivals of Kerala. It is celebrated with great happiness and excitement by people of all age groups. The festival normally falls in the months of August or September and takes a period of ten days. Onam is unique in the sense that it is associated with the legend of King Mahabali who was remembered as an excellent and benevolent monarch. It is believed that King Mahabali comes to meet his people, in Kerala, during Onam.
The most attractive part of Onam is the beautiful floral carpets called Pookalam. The fresh flowers are used to create colorful designs in front of the homes by students and families. They also play traditional games and sports during this period and this makes the environment laden with fun. Vallamkali is a popular snake boat race, whereby long boats are being raced on rivers in the presence of thousands of people.
The other Onam feature is the feast known as Onasadya. It is served in a banana leaf and is comprised of many delicious foods, pickles, sweets and payasam.
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. People also wear new clothes and perform folk dances like Thiruvathira which bring a cultural touch to the celebrations.
Onam is not a mere festival but a sign of togetherness and equality. It is celebrated by all people of every religion and community with love and joy. In short, Onam is a festival that spreads happiness, togetherness, and respect for tradition.
Onam is the most celebrated festival of Kerala, often called the "festival of harvest and homecoming." It is observed during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September) and lasts for ten days. The festival is special because it combines mythology, agriculture, culture, and joy into one grand celebration.
Onam is based on the legend of King Mahabali, a ruler remembered for his justice and kindness.The folklore states that his popularity made the gods jealous, and Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar took him to the underworld. But Mahabali was allowed to see his people once a year which is observed as Onam. This is a symbolic tale of the triumph of virtuousness and philanthropy.
Onam is also known to be rich culturally. Classic art pieces such as Pulikali (tiger dance) are done when people paint their body like tigers and dance to drum patterns. Kummatti Kali is another attraction, which is a colorful mask dance and entertains both children and adults. These festivals preserve folk life of Kerala.
Onam is a harvest festival, so to speak, it is tied closely to nature. People place fresh flowers and banana stems on their houses and farmers praise the earth because of good crops. The rains, greenery, and newly harvested crops add the natural beauty to Onam to be more meaningful.
Onam is more than just rituals it is a memory of culture pride, equality, and harmony. Onam is one such festival that glorifies life in its best form with its special dances, legends and closeness with nature.
Onam is regarded as Kerala’s official state festival and is celebrated by Malayalis across the world. It lasts ten days and is marked by cultural programs, rituals, and community gatherings. Unlike many festivals, Onam is celebrated by people of all religions, making it a symbol of unity and inclusiveness.
Onam is not only about mythology but also about social bonding. Historically, it was celebrated as a harvest festival when farmers offered thanks for good crops. Over time, it became a festival of Kerala’s cultural identity. Today, Onam is not limited to Kerala but is observed in different countries where Malayali communities live, keeping traditions alive globally.
One of the most spectacular highlights is the grand procession at Thrikkakara Temple, considered the center of Onam celebrations. Decorated elephants, drum performances (Chenda Melam), and folk artists create a majestic atmosphere.
Pulikali (tiger dance) and Kaikottikali (group dances) add color and fun. Cultural exhibitions, handicraft fairs, and stage performances are organized, attracting tourists. Onam has also become a global cultural event with Kerala Tourism promoting it worldwide.
People decorate their front yards not just with Pookalam but also with small clay pyramids called Onathappan as a symbol of devotion.
On the last day, called Thiruvonam, people buy new clothes known as Onakkodi and gift them to family members.
Communities come together for tug of war, ox races, and even martial art performances like Kalaripayattu.
Students find festivals as a way to learn outside books. Traditions and cultural richness of Onam provide young learners with an opportunity to celebrate, to take part, and learn the values of unity and creativity. Onam celebrations are common in schools and colleges and the students can be actively involved in making it successful.
To present folk traditions of Kerala, there are Pulikali or Thiruvathira dances that students can participate in. They also have the option of making home-crafted masks or posters, or even craftwork based on Onam themes. Essays writing, oratory and debates about the legend of King Mahabali, allow students to enhance their knowledge and confidence.
Placing storytelling sessions is another activity that is very exciting. Folk tales about Onam can be told in English, Hindi or the native language of the students so that the cultural spirit remains alive in front of a broader audience.
Young students can promote eco-friendly ideas during Onam. For example, instead of plastic decorations, they can use natural flowers, leaves, and reusable materials. They can also start campaigns about reducing food waste during Onasadya. These small efforts show responsibility towards the environment.
Students can take part in charity drives such as collecting clothes or food for needy people during the festival. This teaches compassion and reflects the true spirit of King Mahabali’s generosity. Helping teachers, decorating classrooms, and organizing group feasts are also ways to bond with peers.
In today’s digital world, students can celebrate Onam by creating short videos, digital posters, or blogs about the festival. Sharing creative content online not only spreads awareness but also makes young people connect globally with the festival.
Onam gives students an opportunity to celebrate culture, practice creativity, and learn values of sharing and unity. Whether through cultural shows, eco-friendly campaigns, charity, or digital platforms, students can play a unique role in keeping the spirit of Onam alive. Their participation adds new energy and freshness to this ancient festival.
An essay on Onam is a short description about the famous harvest festival of Kerala. It explains the history, traditions, celebrations, and cultural importance of Onam.
To write an essay on Onam:
Begin with an introduction about the festival.
Add details about why Onam is celebrated.
Mention traditions like Pookalam, Vallamkali, and Onasadya.
Share its importance for unity and culture.
End with a conclusion about its joy and message.
The main day of Onam in 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, September 14, 2025 (Thiruvonam).
Onam is the time to celebrate togetherness, spread love, and welcome prosperity. Wishing you a joyful and colorful Onam!
ओणम केरल का सबसे बड़ा पर्व है। यह फसल का त्योहार माना जाता है। इसे राजा महाबली की याद में मनाया जाता है। लोग घरों के बाहर फूलों की सुंदर पंखुड़ी से ‘पुक्कलम’ बनाते हैं। नाव दौड़ ‘वल्लमकली’ और पारंपरिक नृत्य इसकी विशेषता हैं। ओणम के दिन परिवार एक साथ बैठकर ‘ओणसद्य’ नामक भोज का आनंद लेते हैं। इस त्योहार में एकता, भाईचारा और समृद्धि का संदेश छिपा है। ओणम सभी को खुशी और उत्साह देता है।