Onam 2025: Onam, celebrated with great pomp in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is the main festival of South India. This festival, which comes in Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, falls between August-September and lasts for about 10 days. It is also called Thiruvonam in Malayalam and it is considered dedicated to the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. During this time, people decorate their homes with colorful flowers and toranas and pray for good crop yield in the fields.

The festival of Onam not only holds religious and cultural significance, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate happiness and traditions with family and friends. During this time, cultural activities like Kathakali dance, boat race take place in Kerala and people from all over the country and abroad come to enjoy this mahaparva.

Onam 2025 auspicious time

Thiruvonam Nakshatra, also known as Shravan Nakshatra, started on September 4 at 11:44 pm this year and will remain till 5 September at 11:38 pm. This Nakshatra is considered to be the most auspicious for celebrating Onam festival.

How is Onam celebrated?

On Onam, people decorate homes and temples in the joy of King Mahabali arriving on earth. It is said that Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatar and gave Mahabali a boon that he can come to the earth to meet his subjects one day in a year. Rangoli is made in homes on this occasion, decorations with flowers and delicious dishes like kheer, whole and vegetables are made.

Kathakali dances, boat races and cultural programs are organized during this period in Kerala. People distribute sweets, give gifts and celebrate Onam with full enthusiasm.

Importance of 10 days of Onam

Atham (first day)-On the first day of Onam, people worship in the temple after bathing in the morning and eat traditional dishes like bananas. Creating floral decorations or paklam in homes is a special tradition of this day.

Chithira (second day) – Women decorate floral -time decorations with new flowers, while men bring flowers.

Chodi (third day)-It is the specialty of this day to shop for Thiruvonam and give gifts to each other.

Poison (fourth day) – Flower carpets are organized and preparations like pickle, potato chips are done.

Anizam (Fifth Day) – Back race competition (Vallakali) is organized.

Thikrea (Sixth Day) – Cultural programs are organized and relatives are congratulated.

Moolm (seventh day) – Markets decorate and special dishes are made in homes.

Pooradam (eighth day) – Piramid -like idols are made from the soil and flowers are offered.

Uthiradam (ninth day) – It is called the first Onam and is waiting for the arrival of King Mahabali.

Thiruvonam (tenth day) – The main day of Onam, when King Mahabali comes to earth. Flower carpets are made and various dishes are decorated in the plate. It is also called the second onam.