Kerala gears up for Onam 2026, its grandest festival

Onam is a big, happy festival in Kerala, a state in India.

It lasts for ten days and started on August 16 this year.

The biggest and most important day is called Thiruvonam, which falls on August 26.

On the first day, a huge parade called Athachamayam takes place in the town of Tripunithura.

Thousands of artists perform dances, music, and colorful traditional shows.

Onam celebrates a kind and fair king named Mahabali, who people believe visits every home once a year.

To welcome him, people make beautiful flower carpets called pookalam at their doorsteps.

They also share a big feast called Onasadya served on banana leaves.

Everyone wears new cream-and-gold clothes called kasavu and enjoys games, dances, and snake boat races.

Most of all, the festival is about being kind, generous, and spending time together.