The harvest festival that bridges myth, memory, and modernity
As the golden fields sway in the September breeze and the backwaters mirror the skies of Kerala, a familiar anticipation fills the air. On 5 September 2025, Keralites worldwide will celebrate Onam, a festival that transcends ritual to embody the very soul of “God’s Own Country." Equal parts harvest thanksgiving, mythological remembrance, and cultural carnival, Onam is not merely a date on the calendar but an affirmation of Kerala's identity—rooted in the past, yet flourishing in a rapidly modernising world.
The essence of Onam centres on the legend of King Mahabali, the kind ruler who was sent to the underworld by Lord Vishnu in his dwarf form, Vamana. Loved by his people for his justice and generosity, Mahabali was granted the boon to return once a year to visit his subjects. Onam, therefore, is not just a harvest festival; it symbolises the homecoming of a king who stands for fairness, prosperity, and equality.
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The festivities last for ten days, starting with Athachamayam, a grand procession of elephants, dancers, and floats in Thrippunithura. From then on, every home becomes lively with Pookalam—flower carpets that become more intricate each day. Children hurry to collect blossoms, while women wear traditional kasavu saris, decorating courtyards with patterns that represent abundance and welcome.
Traditional performances add vibrancy: the elegant Thiruvathirakali, danced by women in a circle; the lively Kummattikali, where masked dancers animate mythological stories; and the vibrant Pulikali, with performers painted to resemble tigers prowling to the rhythm of drums. On the water, the famous Vallamkali (snake boat races) turn Kerala’s rivers into lively arenas, as hundreds of oars rise and fall in time with the Vanchipaatu (boat songs).
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No description of Onam is complete without the Onam Sadhya, the legendary vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. A Sadhya is not just a meal; it embodies a philosophy of abundance and balance, with more than 20 dishes—ranging from the tang of injipuli (ginger-tamarind curry) to the sweetness of payasam. To share a Sadhya is to engage in equality; everyone, regardless of status, eats the same dishes, seated together in rows. In this act of communal dining, Kerala's ethos of inclusivity shines through.
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For Malayali families far from their homeland, Onam has become a bridge across oceans. In the Gulf, Europe, and North America, diaspora communities recreate the festival with pookalams in living rooms, sadhyas in community halls, and cultural shows that keep children connected to their roots. The festival has thus become both a personal ritual and a collective assertion of identity.
Even in Kerala, the face of Onam has evolved. Eco-conscious pookalams now use local flowers to avoid wastage, while clay idols of Onathappan are preferred over plastic ones. Cities see digital pookalam competitions, while villages still hold on to their age-old traditions. This blend of continuity and innovation ensures that Onam retains its essence while adapting to the times.
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This year, as the lamps are lit and the fragrance of flowers mingles with the aroma of payasam, Onam will once again flourish as Kerala’s gift to the world—a festival where myth meets memory, and tradition embraces modernity.
