Onam 2025: Thiruvonam Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance

Onam 2025: Thiruvonam Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance

Onam is Kerala’s biggest cultural festival, it will be celebrated with devotion and grandeur on Friday, 5 September 2025, the day of Thiruvonam Nakshatram. It is considered the most important day of the ten-day Onam festival, Thiruvonam brings together Malayalis worldwide in prayers, feasts and traditional festivities.

Thiruvonam 2025 Date and Time

Onam Celebrations in Kerala

Onam is much more than a religious festival; it is the state festival of Kerala, reflecting unity, prosperity, and cultural pride. The ten-day celebrations begin with Atham Nakshatram, also called Hasta Nakshatra in other calendars, and culminate on Thiruvonam day.

The festivities are marked by Onam Pookkalam (floral carpets), Vallam Kali (snake boat races), Pulikali (tiger dance), and the grand Onam Sadhya, a traditional vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. Women perform the graceful Thiruvathira dance, adding colour and joy to the occasion.

Onam 2025: Rituals and Significance

The heart of Onam 2025 rituals lies in the legend of King Mahabali. According to belief, the benevolent Asura king visits his people every year during Onam. His return symbolises prosperity and happiness for every Malayali household.

The festival also commemorates the appearance of Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar, who pushed Mahabali into Patala, granting him the boon of visiting his subjects annually. On Thiruvonam, Malayali families welcome King Mahabali with offerings, prayers, and celebrations.

Why Onam is Special in 2025?

Onam is not just Kerala’s festival but also a global celebration for the Malayali diaspora. In 2025, the alignment of Thiruvonam on a Friday adds a sense of significance, making it a long weekend for those planning to travel home. The festival serves as a reminder of Kerala’s rich heritage, traditions, and cultural diversity, drawing visitors and devotees alike to the state during this auspicious season.