Major Festival
In 21 days on Wednesday - August 26, 2026
Onam
Kerala's Harvest Festival · King Mahabali Returns
Thiruvonam Nakshatra in Chingam (August-September)
Deity
Lord Vishnu (Vamana), King Mahabali
Observance
Celebration
Duration
10 days
Observed
Kerala
Pooja Muhurat in New Delhi
05:56 AM – 08:30 AM
Morning, while the nakshatra runs
Best choghadiya within this window
Labh 05:56 AM – 07:33 AMAmrit 07:33 AM – 08:30 AM
Showing timings for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location for timings that match your own sunrise.
About This Day
Kerala's harvest festival — a 10-day celebration with floral carpets (pookalam), boat races, and the Onam Sadya feast.
Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala, celebrated to welcome the spirit of the legendary King Mahabali, who ruled Kerala in a golden age of prosperity and equality. Lord Vishnu (as Vamana, the dwarf avatar) sent King Mahabali to the netherworld, but granted him the boon to visit his beloved subjects every year during Onam. The 10-day festival includes the famous Pookalam (flower carpet), Onasadya (grand feast of 26 dishes on banana leaf), Vallamkali (snake boat race), and Thiruvathira dance.
ThiruvonamVamana Jayanti
Regional Names
Kerala
Onam
Diaspora
Onam
Vrat Rules
No fasting. The grand Onasadya feast is the centerpiece.
Allowed
·all foods
·Onasadya
Avoided
·non-veg on main day in traditional families
Pooja Vidhi , Step by Step
1
Pookalam (Day 1)
Begin the elaborate floral carpet (Pookalam) at the entrance. Add a new ring of flowers each of the 10 days
2
Thiruvonam puja (Day 10)
The main day. Perform puja to Vamana and King Mahabali. Light diya and incense
3
Onasadya
Prepare the traditional feast of 26 dishes served on banana leaf — includes avial, olan, sambar, payasam, and more
4
Vallamkali
Watch or participate in the traditional snake boat races on the backwaters
5
Thiruvathira & Pulikali
Women perform Thiruvathira dance around the Pookalam. Pulikali (tiger dance) is a colourful street performance
Step-by-step pooja guidance with mantras.
Key Mantra
Vamana Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वामनाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vamanaya · 108 chants
Salutations to Lord Vamana (the dwarf avatar of Vishnu)
Pooja Essentials
Pooja Items
Flowers for PookalamThrikkakara Appan idol (clay)IncenseDiyaBanana leaf
Flowers
Thumbapoo (white)MarigoldKanakambaramWild flowers for Pookalam
Prasad
Onasadya (26-dish feast)PayasamAvialBanana chipsPaal Payasam
Do
·Make Pookalam (flower carpet)
·Prepare traditional Onasadya
·Wear traditional Kerala attire (Kasavu saree/mundu)
·Watch Vallamkali boat races
·Perform Thiruvathira dance
Avoid
·Do not waste the Onasadya food
·Avoid leaving the Pookalam incomplete
·Do not forget to welcome the spirit of Mahabali
Remedies
·Prepare Pookalam
·Serve Onasadya to all
·Donate to the poor
·Light diyas at entrance
Daan (Donations)
Food (Onasadya)ClothesRiceGifts
Onam
Kerala's Harvest Festival · King Mahabali Returns
#Onam#Thiruvonam#Onasadya#Kerala#MahabalireturnsOnam#DailyPanchang
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