Celebrating Kerala’s grand festival through small, meaningful rituals at home
The fragrance of jasmine drifts through the courtyard, a banana leaf waits to be unfurled, and the rustle of kasavu saris fills the room with anticipation. On 5 September 2025, as Kerala and its diaspora welcome the return of King Mahabali, many families will celebrate Onam not in public gatherings or boat races, but within the intimacy of their homes. And perhaps, therein lies the essence of the festival—rejoicing in abundance, artistry, and togetherness in spaces where memory and tradition thrive.
Among the 20-odd dishes that celebrate the legendary Onam Sadhya, Avial remains the heart of the feast. A medley of vegetables—carrot, beans, yams, drumsticks, and raw bananas—is cooked gently in turmeric and salt before being combined with grated coconut, green chillies, and cumin.
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A final drizzle of coconut oil and a sprinkle of curry leaves transform this humble dish into a symbol of balance and unity. Its charm lies in its simplicity: no vegetable dominates another, echoing Onam's message of equality.
Every Onam feast ends with Parippu Payasam, a golden dessert made from moong dal, jaggery, and coconut milk. The dal is roasted and cooked until soft, then combined with melted jaggery and finished with thick coconut milk.
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Ghee-fried cashews and raisins are added as toppings, giving a festive touch. Made at home, its aroma fills kitchens with nostalgia, reminding every Malayali of their grandmother’s patient hands stirring over the flame.
Onam’s art begins at the doorstep with the Pookalam, the floral carpet that becomes more elaborate each day. To create one at home, draw concentric circles on the ground and fill them with flower petals—marigolds for yellow, hibiscus for red, and jasmine for white.
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Even children can assist, learning patience and precision while shaping these vibrant mandalas of prosperity. The Pookalam does more than decorate; it welcomes Mahabali with colour and joy.
Another artistic pleasure is creating masks for Kummattikali, a folk dance in which performers wear colourful wooden masks depicting deities, sages, or animals. At home, one can recreate this craft with cardboard.
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Draw bold features, paint with vivid hues—green for Krishna, red for Narada, orange for hunters—and secure with strings. Such creative activities are not just crafts for children, but lessons in heritage, where myth becomes tangible through art.
Beyond just food and art, what makes Onam special is the gathering of family. In cities, where work often separates loved ones, celebrating at home allows conversations to flow and bonds to grow.
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Preparing the Sadhya together—peeling vegetables, laying out banana leaves, sharing laughter in the kitchen—creates a connection as meaningful as temple rituals. In these shared acts lies the spirit of Onam: unity, joy, and remembering Mahabali’s just rule.
Celebrating Onam at home doesn't have to be a lesser version of grandeur. In every pookalam petal, in the sweetness of payasam, and in the shared laughter of families gathered on the floor, the festival survives. King Mahabali's annual visit isn’t about spectacle but about spirit, and when celebrated within a home, Onam reminds us that abundance isn't measured by size, but by togetherness.
