Kerala celebrates Onam harvest festival and Thiruvonam

The Onam festival is being celebrated across Kerala and by the global Malayali diaspora, marking the culmination of the ten-day harvest season with the significant day of Thiruvonam on August 26, 2026. The festivities are characterized by traditional rituals, including the creation of Pookalam (floral carpets), the preparation of the Onam Sadhya (a multi-course vegetarian feast served on banana leaves), and the wearing of traditional Kasavu sarees and mundus.

While the festival is widely celebrated as a symbol of cultural unity and inclusivity, transcending religious and caste boundaries, it has also sparked debate regarding its religious identity. Some argue that the festival's roots are deeply Hindu, tied to the mythological legend of King Mahabali and the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu, while others emphasize its role as a secular cultural harvest festival.

Celebrations include large gatherings at major shrines like the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Guruvayur Temple. The spirit of the festival is also being extended to other regions, such as Mumbai, through public floral installations, and through various digital and commercial campaigns.