Thiruvonam in 2025 falls on Friday, 5 September, marking the main day of Kerala’s Onam celebrations with Thiruvonam Nakshatram active from the night of Sept 4 to late night Sept 5 (local Kerala time).
What is Onam
Onam is Kerala’s grand harvest festival celebrating prosperity, cultural unity, and the legendary annual homecoming of King Mahabali, observed in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug–Sep). The festival also commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and is inclusive across communities, featuring rituals, arts, and communal feasts.
2025 Key Dates
- Festival window: August 26 to September 5–6, 2025, with ten named days culminating in Thiruvonam on Friday, September 5.
- Thiruvonam Nakshatram: begins 11:44 PM on Sept 4, 2025 and ends 11:38 PM on Sept 5, 2025 (Kerala/India regional muhurat reference).
- Media and festival guides also list Thiruvonam as 5 September 2025, aligning calendars and public observances.
Day‑by‑Day Overview
While practices vary by region, Onam unfolds across ten days from Atham to Thiruvonam, with decorations, shopping, arts, and feasts intensifying each day.
- Atham to Vishakam (Aug 26–29): Pookalam (floral rangoli) begins and expands; households prepare and shop (Onakkodi).
- Anizham to Moolam (Aug 30–Sep 1): Vallam Kali (snake boat races) and temple/community sadyas and folk performances start.
- Pooradam & Uthradam (Sep 2–3/4): Onathappan idols placed; homes cleaned; “First Onam” preparations peak.
- Thiruvonam (Sep 5): Main rituals, family feasts, gifting, and cultural showcases mark Mahabali’s visit.
Thiruvonam 2025 Timings
- Thiruvonam Nakshathram: 11:44 PM, Sept 4 to 11:38 PM, Sept 5, 2025 (Kerala panchang reference).
- Panchang listings across regions corroborate the overnight start on Sept 4 and closure late Sept 5 for Thiruvonam observances.
Core Traditions
- Pookalam: Daily‑growing floral carpets at entrances welcome Mahabali and symbolize prosperity and unity.
- Onam Sadhya: A grand vegetarian feast on banana leaves featuring multiple dishes like rice, sambar, avial, thoran, pickles, and payasams.
- Vallam Kali: Snake boat races in Kerala backwaters highlight teamwork and festive fervor.
- Pulikali: Tiger‑body painting dance processions bring playful spectacle and community joy.
Cultural Performances
Onam is a stage for classical and folk arts including Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kummattikali, and Onathallu demonstrations in various locales. These performances narrate epic tales, celebrate femininity and grace, and showcase martial traditions within a festive setting.
Food Highlights of Sadhya
A traditional Sadhya can include 20–30 items served course‑style on a banana leaf, with regional variation in number and recipes. Typical items include rice, parippu, sambar, avial, olan, thoran, pachadi, kichadi, pickles, pappadam, banana chips, and desserts like ada pradhaman or palada.
Dress and Gifting
People typically wear traditional kasavu saree for women and mundu for men; families exchange Onakkodi (new clothes) as blessings of renewal. Courtyard swings decked with flowers (oonjal) and home adornments further enhance the festive ambience.
Significance and Legends
Onam’s core legend is the benevolent King Mahabali’s annual visit granted by Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar, symbolizing egalitarian prosperity and moral governance. The festival underscores values of harmony, generosity, and cultural pride across Kerala and the global Malayali diaspora.
Practical Tips for 2025
- Plan Sadhya and Onakkodi shopping before Uthradam; fresh flowers for Pookalam may be in peak demand closer to Thiruvonam.
- Check local timings based on location panchang; community events like Vallam Kali and Pulikali have fixed schedules announced locally.