The natives living in Kerala, India, eagerly look forward to the arrival of Onam, a festival having both cultural and spiritual significance. One of the seasonal features about Thiruvonam is that the bright colours of summer start to give way to welcoming autumn. This harvest festival takes place every year, and serves as a reminder of community, unity, and joyous celebrations that get families, friends, and neighbours together.
Let's learn about Onam 2025, which shall soon charm us with its splendour, and explore the history of Onam, also, learn how devotees observe, enjoy, and cherish this festival.
Onam 2025 Date and Time
Onam is a 10-day long extravaganza celebrated by the devotees in the form of cultural events, festivities and various rituals. Thiruvonam is the last and the most significant day of this festival, which shall fall this year on Sept 05, 2025. Hence, this day is the Onam 2025 date, and time for the Thiruvonam Nakshathram shall begin at 11:44 PM on Sep 04, 2025 and conclude at 11:38 PM on Sep 05, 2025.
As per the history of Onam, each day honours a different deity for their blessings and presence. These days are an opportunity for families to come together, decorate their homes with floral rangolis called 'Pookalams' and prepare for the grand feast.
Also See: Today Choghadiya Muhurat
Let us learn about all the days and their details leading to the Thiruvonam Celebrations -
Day |
Date |
Name |
How Devotees Celebrate? |
Day 1 |
August 26, 2025 |
Atham |
Creating the Pookalam, laying first flower petals |
Day 2 |
August 27, 2025 |
Chithira |
Extension of Pookalam with the addition of a new layer of colorful flowers. |
Day 3 |
August 29, 2025 |
Chodhi |
Pookalam is further elaborated by adding more flowers |
Day 4 |
August 30, 2025 |
Vishakam |
Engaging in cultural events like dance, music & games |
Day 5 |
August 31, 2025 |
Anizham Day, Vallam Kali |
Preparations for the Onam Sadya now begin in full swing |
Day 6 |
September 1, 2025 |
Thriketa |
Preparations & shopping for new clothes |
Day 7 |
September 2, 2025 |
Moolam |
Families and communities create large & elaborate Pookalams |
Day 8 |
September 3, 2025 |
Pooradam |
The excitement boosts with the cleaning & decorating of the entire household |
Day 9 |
September 4, 2025 |
Uthradom |
Thiruvonam Eve witnesses last-minute preparations for the feast. |
Day 10 |
September 5, 2025 |
Thiruvonam |
The festival concludes with the grand Onam Sadya & festivities |
Significance of Onam
Known as the Festival of Harvest, Onam is a significant festival for the individuals living in Kerala and celebrated with much devotion and enthusiasm. As it is celebrated mainly in the Malayali-speaking region, it is said that on this day, Ditya Raj Mahabali descends to the Earth from Heaven to bestow blessings on its devotees. The legendary King Mahabali had ruled in a way appreciated and called it the golden age of harmony, equality and prosperity. As per mythology, the story of Onam says that Lord Vishnu gifted him the boon to visit his kingdom once a year. For this, devotees begin preparations 10 days in advance by decorating their houses with colourful flowers and rangolis, making delicious delicacies and shopping for new attires. The Thiruvonam Celebrations make it the most vibrant festival in India, and also the government celebrates it as a tourist event. If you visit Kerala during this fest, you will witness boat races, music, dance and many other rituals of Onam.
Celebration of a good, satisfactory harvest is another significance of Onam as it is the period when Kerala has the yield of ginger, tea, black pepper, cardamom and paddy ready.
Also See: Rahu Kalam Timings Today
Onam 2025: Rituals & Traditions
Individuals perform several rituals of Onam due to its spiritual significance. One of these is laying an elaborate and vibrant floral carpet known as Pookalam. Made using colourful flowers and displaying creative and artistic skills of individuals, this Pookalam is made to be bigger and more complex each day.
The traditional boat race, Vallamkali, is another attraction during the Onam festival. It is held in the serene backwaters and is an exciting extravaganza that brings communities together and showcases their strength and unity.
Also See: Gowri Panchangam Today
Onam 2025: Thiruvonam Celebrations
Talking about Thiruvonam, the 10th day of the fest, it is the most significant day of Onam and depicts unity, joy and tradition. It usually falls in Sept and September. Individuals wake up early on this day, take traditional baths and offer prayers. The highlight of Thiruvonam is the Onam Sadya - a lavish vegetarian feast served on banana leaves. In the Sadya, the individuals are served a plethora of traditional dishes, including sambhar, rice, pachadi, olan and types of payasams. It defines the cultural richness and diversity of the Kerala Cuisine. Further, the ritual of Onam represents the spirit of togetherness and sharing, as all this happens by inviting friends and relatives to join and spend the day communicating, laughing and engaging in various rituals.
Also See: Today Panchang
Wrapping Up
Onam 2025 is more than just a festival. It is a celebration of the culture, tradition and the spirit of unity. As we now know about Thiruvonam and the festivities that take place on its preceding days, we can understand well how the sense of togetherness is evoked by this 10-day fest. The significance of this fest can be understood by the story of Onam and the various traditions by which it engages individuals. This festival shows how the cultural traditions have the power to bridge gaps and bring hearts closer.
Let us all embrace the spirit of Onam 2025.
Happy Onam!
Leave a Comment