Onam 2026

When Is Onam in 2026?

In 2026, Onam falls on August 27. The observance lasts 10 days (Atham to Thiruvonam). Because Onam follows a Thiruvonam nakshatra in the Chingam month (Malayalam solar calendar); 10-day festival culminating on Thiruvonam, the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. Onam follows the Malayalam solar calendar, which uses the sun's entry into Leo (Simha) as the start of Chingam. The Thiruvonam nakshatra (lunar mansion) determines the main day; the nakshatra timing can place the festival a day earlier or later than estimated by Gregorian reckoning. Since Onam's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 August 27 2027 August 16 2028 September 4 2029 August 24 2030 September 13

What Time Does Onam Start in Your Time Zone?

Onam falls in the Hindu month of Chingam (the first month of the Malayalam calendar), with the main day (Thiruvonam) falling on the day of the Thiruvonam star (Shravana in Sanskrit). In 2026, Thiruvonam falls on August 28. The festival is observed during the day, with the Onam sadya typically served at lunch on Thiruvonam. Because the festival is calculated by the Malayalam calendar (a solar calendar), the date is essentially fixed within a narrow window each year. The ten days of Onam begin on Atham (the day of the Atham star) and end on Thiruvonam. Diaspora Malayali communities worldwide — particularly in the Gulf states, the United States, and the United Kingdom — observe Onam on the same Gregorian dates as Kerala, with community celebrations and Onam sadya at temples and community centers. The table below shows the observance date for Onam in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA August 27 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK August 27 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India August 27 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia August 27 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE August 27 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Onam

Onam is the state festival of Kerala, the southern Indian state on the Malabar Coast, and is celebrated by Malayalis worldwide regardless of religion. The festival falls in the Hindu month of Chingam (August-September), the first month of the Malayalam calendar, and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. Onam is a ten-day festival, culminating on Thiruvonam (the main day), and is one of the most colorful and culturally rich festivals in India. The central legend of Onam tells of Mahabali, a benevolent asura (demon) king who ruled Kerala in ancient times. His reign was a golden age — there was no crime, no poverty, no deception, and all people were equal. The gods, jealous of Mahabali's power and popularity, sent the god Vishnu in the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin. Vamana asked Mahabali for three paces of land. Mahabali granted the request, despite the warnings of his guru Shukracharya. Vamana then grew to cosmic size, covered the Earth and the heavens in two paces, and asked where to place his third step. Mahabali, true to his word, offered his own head. Vamana placed his foot on Mahabali's head and pushed him down to the underworld (patala). Before being pushed down, Mahabali asked for and was granted a single wish: to return to Kerala once a year to see his people. Onam is the festival that celebrates Mahabali's annual return — the ten days of the festival are the days when Mahabali is believed to be visiting Kerala, and the festival is as much a welcoming of the king as a celebration of his reign. The phrase "Mahabali is coming, the king is coming" (Maveli vannu, maveli vannu) is repeated in Onam songs, and the festival's central ritual is the laying of the flower carpet (pookalam) at the entrance of every home, to welcome the king.

How Onam Is Celebrated

Onam is celebrated over ten days, beginning with Atham (the first day) and culminating with Thiruvonam (the tenth day, the main festival day). The most visible Onam tradition is the pookalam — an elaborate flower carpet laid at the entrance of homes, businesses, and temples. The pookalam is a circular design of concentric rings, made with fresh flower petals arranged in intricate patterns. Each day of Onam, the pookalam is made larger and more elaborate, with the largest designs on Thiruvonam itself. Pookalam competitions are held throughout Kerala, with neighborhoods, schools, and businesses competing for the most beautiful design. The Onam sadya (feast) is the festival's culinary centerpiece. Served on a banana leaf, the sadya includes 26-28 dishes (and sometimes more), all vegetarian, including rice, sambar, rasam, avial (a mixed vegetable dish), thoran (a stir-fried vegetable dish), olan (a black-eyed pea and pumpkin dish), parippu (lentil curry), payasam (a sweet pudding), and many more. The sadya is eaten with the right hand, seated on the floor, with the banana leaf oriented in a specific direction. The meal is served by family members or community volunteers, and is offered to all — guests, neighbors, and even strangers. Onam is also marked by traditional sports and games, collectively called Onakalikal. These include kali (a form of martial arts), kayyankali (a combat sport), attakalam (a tug-of-war), and vadamvali (rope-pulling). Snake boat races (vallam kali) are held on the backwaters of Kerala, with long, narrow boats (chundan vallam) manned by 100 or more rowers racing against each other. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, is the most famous and draws international tourists. Pulikali — the tiger dance, in which performers painted as tigers dance through the streets — is a Onam tradition in Thrissur. The Kaikottikali (a clap dance performed by women in circles around a lit lamp) and Kathakali performances are also part of the festival. Why Does Onam Move Every Year? Onam is fixed in the Malayalam calendar, a solar calendar used in Kerala. The festival falls in the month of Chingam, with the main day (Thiruvonam) falling on the day of the Thiruvonam star. The Malayalam solar calendar, like the broader Hindu solar calendar, is based on the sun's actual transit through the zodiac signs — meaning the festival's Gregorian date is essentially fixed within a narrow window in August or September. The festival is one of the few Indian festivals calculated by a solar rather than a lunar calendar, which gives it a more stable Gregorian date.

Calendar Calculation

Thiruvonam nakshatra in the Chingam month (Malayalam solar calendar); 10-day festival culminating on Thiruvonam

Traveling for Onam? Where to Go

Onam is the largest festival in Kerala and draws international tourists specifically to see the snake boat races and the festival's cultural events. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha is the most famous, but other races in Aranmula, Champakulam, and other backwater towns are also major attractions. Thrissur's Pulikali (tiger dance) draws large crowds, and the Onam sadya at temples and community halls offers visitors a chance to experience Kerala's vegetarian cuisine. Kerala's tourism industry markets Onam as one of the best times to visit the state. Top destinations for this holiday: Thiruvananthapuram: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Kochi: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Thrissur: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Kozhikode: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Alappuzha: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. If you're planning to travel for onam, compare hotel rates and book early — accommodations in Thiruvananthapuram fill up weeks before the festival. [Search hotels for Onam travel →]

Did You Know? Onam Facts & Trivia

Onam is the state festival of Kerala, celebrated by Malayalis worldwide regardless of religion. The festival falls in the Hindu month of Chingam (August-September), the first month of the Malayalam calendar, and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali — a benevolent asura (demon) king whose reign was a golden age. The most visible Onam tradition is the pookalam — an elaborate flower carpet laid at the entrance of homes, businesses, and temples. The pookalam is a circular design of concentric rings, made with fresh flower petals arranged in intricate patterns. Each day of Onam, the pookalam is made larger and more elaborate, with the largest designs on Thiruvonam itself. The Onam sadya (feast) — served on a banana leaf — includes 26-28 dishes (and sometimes more), all vegetarian, including rice, sambar, rasam, avial, thoran, olan, parippu, payasam, and many more. The sadya is eaten with the right hand, seated on the floor, with the banana leaf oriented in a specific direction. Snake boat races (vallam kali) are held on the backwaters of Kerala during Onam, with long, narrow boats (chundan vallam) manned by 100 or more rowers racing against each other. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, is the most famous and draws international tourists.