Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Onam Brings Kerala Families Home for Food and Traditions
Onam is a special festival celebrated in Kerala.
Thiruvonam is the most important day of the 10-day celebration.
Many families came together, including people who traveled home from other countries.
They wore traditional clothes and made colorful flower designs called pookkalams.
Families ate a large vegetarian meal called sadya on banana leaves.
Children enjoyed new clothes, swings, games, and sweet payasam.
People also visited temples and watched cultural performances.
Onam is linked to the story of King Mahabali, who is believed to return each year to visit his people.
The festival is now celebrated by people across social and religious communities.
Kerala celebrated Thiruvonam, the culmination of its 10-day Onam festivities, with family reunions and community events.
Families, including relatives returning from abroad, gathered for the traditional vegetarian Onam sadya served on banana leaves.
People wore kasavu sarees and mundu, visited temples, and created colorful pookkalams despite showers in some areas.
Children and adults enjoyed courtyard swings, traditional games, and cultural performances including Pulikali, Thiruvathira, and Theyyam.
Markets and state-supported fair-price outlets were busy as residents bought clothes, food, and household supplies for the festival.
- Who
- People across Kerala, including families reunited from abroad, temple devotees, children, and community groups.
- What
- The state celebrated Thiruvonam, the culmination of Onam festivities, with homecomings, sadya feasts, prayers, pookkalams, games, and cultural programs.
- When
- Wednesday, on the auspicious Thiruvonam day, after 10 days of Onam festivities.
- Where
- Across Kerala, including homes, temples, villages, residential neighborhoods, markets, and community venues.
- Why
- To observe Onam traditions and celebrate the annual homecoming associated in folklore with King Mahabali.
- Festival
- Onam
- Main day
- Thiruvonam, the culmination of 10 days of festivities
- Traditional feast
- Onam sadya, a mostly vegetarian spread served on banana leaves
- Traditional decorations
- Pookkalams, or colorful floral carpets
- Traditional clothing
- Women commonly wore kasavu sarees and men wore mundu
- Cultural activities
- Vadamvali, uriyadi, Pulikali, Thiruvathira, and Theyyam
- Mythological figure
- King Mahabali, whose annual return is central to Onam folklore