Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Hyderabad Malayali Community Celebrates Onam With Pookalam and Sadhya
Onam is an important festival celebrated by Malayali people.
Families in Hyderabad celebrated its main day at home on Wednesday.
They wore traditional white clothes and made colorful flower designs called Pookalam.
They also cooked and shared a large traditional meal called Onam Sadhya.
Some families invited friends to join them.
Community groups planned bigger celebrations for the weekend.
Onam remembers the story of King Mahabali and a time when people were treated equally.
For many people, the festival is also a way to remember their culture and feel close to home.
Malayali families in Hyderabad marked Onam’s main day on Wednesday with traditional clothing, floral arrangements and Onam Sadhya.
Families created Pookalam designs, prepared traditional dishes and invited friends to share the celebrations.
Several community associations reserved the main day for family gatherings and planned larger events for the weekend.
The festival recalls King Mahabali’s legendary egalitarian kingdom, associated with equality, compassion and freedom from discrimination.
Dr Saji and Dr Ansy D’Souza, along with artist Parvathy Thiruvothu, celebrated Onam traditions with family in Hyderabad.
- Who
- Malayali families and community associations in Hyderabad, including the D’Souza family and artist Parvathy Thiruvothu.
- What
- They celebrated Onam with traditional clothing, Pookalam floral arrangements, Onam Sadhya and family gatherings.
- When
- The main day was celebrated on Wednesday, with larger community events planned for the weekend.
- Where
- Hyderabad, in family homes and through community associations.
- Why
- Onam honors the legend of King Mahabali and helps Malayalis connect with cultural roots, family, equality and goodwill.
- Festival
- Onam
- Location
- Hyderabad
- Main-day activities
- Pookalam, Onam Sadhya, traditional attire and family gatherings
- Community plans
- Several associations planned larger events for the weekend
- Traditional clothing
- Women wore white saris and men wore white mundus
- Cultural meaning
- The festival recalls King Mahabali’s egalitarian era and emphasizes unity, compassion and equality