Onam 2026: Check Onam Date, History, Ritual and Celebration

Onam is 10 days festival of Kerala. Onam 2026 starts with a Atham on 16 August 2026 and continue with the Grand Day Thiruvonam on 26 August 2026.

Onam 2026

Onam is one of the biggest and most important festival of Kerala. It is at 10 days long harvest festival celebrated by Malayali community in Kerala and around the world. The festival celebrates the Homecoming of legendary asura Mahabali. Onam is celebrated every year during the month of chingam, the first month of Malayalam calendar, which is usually fall between a guest and September in Georgian calendar. In 2026 Onam begin from 16 August 2026.

The celebration of Onam start with the Atham day (when the atham Nakshatra prevails) and continue for 10 days, the last day is the main day of the festival called Thiruvonam. Onam is celebrated with great joy, devotion, gratitude and togetherness. It is the time when people decorate the entrance of their home with pookalam (floral rangoli), participate in vallam kali (boat race), eat the Grand fest ‘Onam sadya’ and perform the traditional dances like Kathakali and Pulikali. Let’s learn more about the Onam festival such as Onam 2026 date, history etc.

Onam 2026 Date

Onam 2026 starts with the first day of celebration Atham which is on 26 August 2026 and the celebration Ends on 5 September 2026 with Thiruvonam. The festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam. The Tiruvonam is the last and the main day of Onam celebration and it is considered very Oscar. It is the day when King Mahabali comes for annual visit. Onam 2026 is the 10 days festival and each day reflect unique ritual, decoration and cultural events. Check the Onam date 2026 listed below.

Onam 2026 History

Poonam is one of the most vibrant festival with rich culture and celebration. It is both the spiritual and harvest festival. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates the Homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. Mahabali was Asura and he loved by everyone. King Mahabali is known to brought peace and prosperity in Kerala. He ruled Kerala with unparallel justice, prosperity and equality. The. Was considered a golden age, where everyone is lived in happiness and abundance.

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God and detity grew concerned with the Mahabali increasing popularity and power. That he might usurp their position. They sought help from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin and test Mahabali devotion and humility. Vamana asked for 3 step of land. Mahabali has promised to give three steps land. Vamana then begin to grow to an immense size and he covered the entire earth with his first step and heaven with his second foot.

Now there was no space left for the third step. Then Mahabali offered his head for the third step. Lord Vishnu, impressed by devotion and reveal His true form. He blessed King Mahabali and said him to netherworld (Patal). As a reward Lord Vishnu allowed him to visit his beloved people ones in every year. This annual visit of Mahabali is celebrated as Onam.

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