If you’re sitting there wondering, “When is Onam in 2025?” – here’s the quick answer: Thiruvonam falls on Friday, 5th September 2025.
But if you’ve ever celebrated Onam before, you know it’s not just about that one day. It’s not like a birthday where it begins and ends in 24 hours. Onam is more like a slow build-up of joy – ten full days of tradition, flowers, laughter, and, of course, food. It’s the kind of festival that lives in your heart longer than it stays on the calendar.
So, let’s talk about what Onam really means and how to soak it all in – whether you’re living in Kerala or a small flat in some other part of the world.
What Is Onam, Really?
Let’s not overcomplicate it.
Onam is a big deal in Kerala. It’s the time people welcome back King Mahabali – the good-hearted ruler who once made everyone feel safe and equal. The old story says he was sent to the underworld, but got permission to return once a year. And Onam is how we make sure he still feels at home when he visits.
But honestly? It’s more than just the legend.
Onam is about the harvest. About homecoming. About culture and connection. It’s the feeling of life slowing down for a few days so we can really enjoy what matters.
You meet relatives you haven’t seen in ages. You scrub the house like someone special is dropping by. You bring out the traditional clothes that sit tucked away all year. And through it all, there’s always that smell in the air – fried banana chips, payasam bubbling, something familiar and comforting.
That’s what Onam is really about.
2025 Onam Calendar (Mark These Dates)
Here’s the timeline leading up to the big day:
- 26 August (Tuesday): Atham
- 27 August: Chithira
- 28 August: Chodhi
- 29 August: Vishakam
- 30 August: Anizham
- 31 August: Thriketa
- 1 September: Moolam
- 2 September: Pooradam
- 3 September: Uthradom
- 4 September: First Onam
- 5 September (Friday): Thiruvonam
From Atham to Thiruvonam, every day adds another layer of excitement. The pookalam (flower carpet) grows a little each morning. The kitchen gets busier. And your heart starts to feel like something beautiful is just around the corner.
What Happens During Onam?
Now, if you’ve never celebrated Onam before, here’s how it typically goes:
1. Pookalam – The Flower Carpet
You start small – maybe a few rings of marigolds or rose petals. As the days go by, the design gets more detailed. Kids help. Neighbours peek in. Some patterns get lopsided. And that’s okay — it’s all part of it.
2. Onam Sadya – The Feast
This is no regular meal. Sadya is a massive vegetarian spread served on a banana leaf. We’re talking 20+ dishes – avial, olan, thoran, sambhar, rasam, banana chips, pickles, and at least one or two kinds of payasam. No forks or spoons here. You eat with your hands. You sit together. And you eat slow.
3. Onakkodi – The Clothes
Everyone wears new traditional outfits. Men in crisp white mundus. Women in off-white sarees with gold borders. Even kids get dressed up. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about starting fresh.
4. Vallamkali – The Boat Race
In some parts of Kerala – long snake boats cut through the rivers in sync while the crowds cheer. Even if you just watch it on a screen it gives you chills.
5. Pulikali – The Tiger Dance
Adults (yes, adults!) paint themselves like tigers and dance through the streets. It’s loud, chaotic, and fun – especially for kids who think it’s the coolest thing ever.
6. Games and Laughs
People play tug of war, lemon-and-spoon races, and other silly games. You don’t win a trophy. You win joy. That’s more than enough.
Celebrating Onam If You’re Away From Kerala
Not in Kerala this year? That’s okay. You can still catch a bit of the Onam magic, right where you are.
Drop some fresh petals into a bowl and place it on the table. Light a small lamp when the sun goes down – even a candle works.
Put on an old Malayalam song, even if you fumble through the lyrics. Make that one dish your grandma always cooked, or treat yourself to some payasam from a local place.
Pick up the phone. Call your parents, your cousins, your people. Just hearing their voices can make it feel like you are not so far away.
You don’t have to do everything. Just do one small thing that reminds you of home. That’s enough. That’s Onam.
Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Onam
You don’t have to spend a fortune or wrap things in shiny paper. Sometimes, the simplest gift – when it’s picked with love – is the one that really sticks.
Here are a few easy, thoughtful ideas:
- A bright bouquet or even some fresh flowers wrapped in newspaper – still beautiful.
- A flower box or preserved roses that stay fresh long after the weekend.
- A box of personalised chocolates – because sweets never fail.
- A mug with a family photo or a little Onam wish printed on it.
- A comfy cushion with a traditional design or a quote that makes someone smile.
- A soft, homemade-feeling cake – coconut, banana, jaggery… any flavour with heart.
- A small hamper filled with dry fruits, sweets, and a handwritten note.
- A few colourful balloons to make the kids feel extra special.
- A little indoor plant – something green, simple, and full of life.
- A cuddly soft toy for your niece or nephew.
And if nothing else, a handwritten card can say more than any gift ever could.
It’s not about spending big. It’s about choosing something that says, “I thought of you.” That’s what really counts.
Why Kids Really Love Onam
If you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal for kids during Onam?” – the answer is simple: everything.
They get to wear shiny new clothes. Help scatter petals for the pookalam. Try all kinds of food. Watch painted tigers dance down the street. Run around playing games. Munch on sweets. And maybe even stay up past bedtime.
They feel part of it. Like the day is just as much about them. Even if they don’t fully get the story of King Mahabali yet, they know something special is going on – and that they’re right in the middle of it.
No Space? No Worries.
You don’t need a big house or a backyard to feel the joy of Onam.
Make a little pookalam right on your coffee table. Use green napkins if banana leaves aren’t around. Light a small tea candle – it still gives the same warm glow.
It’s never about how big or perfect things look. It’s about the heart you put into it. That’s what really makes it special.
Planning Ahead Makes It Smoother
With Onam 2025 falling on a Friday, you’ve got the whole weekend to celebrate properly – not just rush through it.
Want to keep things smooth? Start a little early.
Grab your flowers a few days before – they sell out quicker than you think. Pick your outfit ahead of time so you’re not digging through cupboards last minute.
Think about the food. What do you want to cook yourself? What can you just order and enjoy?
Let the kids pitch in too – they’ll love helping with decorations or writing little notes for greeting cards.
And if you’re sending out gifts, try to ship them a few days early. No one likes the panic of late deliveries.
A bit of planning now means more time later to breathe, laugh, and just enjoy the day.
It’s the Little Things
Maybe it’s just a single flower floating in a bowl on your table. Or that one family photo where everyone’s in their Onam best, smiling half-blinked but happy. Maybe it’s the quiet little prayer whispered before the first bite.
A small note that says “Thinking of you” tucked into a card. Or giving your sibling that extra spoon of payasam because you know they love it.
It’s these small, almost ordinary moments that somehow make everything feel real – and unforgettable.
What Onam Teaches Us
Onam has this quiet way of making you slow down. You look around – see the people who matter, the food that took hours to cook, and the room full of noise, laughter, and little side conversations. And something about it makes you pause and feel thankful.
No phones, no rush. Just a table full of people who are eating with their hands – smiling mid-bite. And, maybe humming along to an old song playing in the background.
It’s not the big stuff you hold on to. It’s that soft moment after the meal, when someone leans back, belly full, and goes, “That payasam… that was perfect.”
That’s Onam. It’s simple. It’s warm. And it stays with you.
Final Words
So yes, now you know exactly when is Onam in 2025 – but more than that, I hope you know what makes it matter.
It’s not the number of dishes or the size of your pookalam. It’s the love behind it. The effort. The time you give each other. That’s the real celebration.
So go ahead – light a lamp, cook something small, send that card, and smile a little wider.
Happy Onam. May it bring you peace, pride, and plenty of payasam.