Onam 2027
Onam 2027 falls on September 3 (Fri) – 12 (Sun), 2027. Onam is Kerala's ten-day harvest festival in the month of Chingam, welcoming King Mahabali home. It runs from Atham to Thiruvonam with pookalam flower carpets, the Onam Sadhya feast on a banana leaf, Vallam Kali boat races and Pulikali.
Key dates 2027: Atham 3 Sep (Fri) · Uthradom 11 Sep (Sat) · Thiruvonam 12 Sep (Sun)
Find Onam near you
See Onam 2027 events, pandals and celebrations on the map, with timings and directions.
Find Onam eventsWhat is Onam?
Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala, a ten-day harvest celebration in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September). It welcomes home King Mahabali, the legendary ruler under whom Kerala was said to be prosperous, honest and happy. According to the story, Lord Vishnu came as Vamana, a young Brahmin, and asked the generous king for three steps of land; with two steps he covered the earth and the heavens, and Mahabali offered his own head for the third. Moved by his devotion, Vishnu allowed him to visit his people once a year — on Thiruvonam. Onam is celebrated by Malayalis of every faith.
The ten days of Onam
Onam begins on Atham and ends on Thiruvonam, the day of the Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra. On Atham, families lay the first ring of the pookalam, a flower carpet in front of the house, and add a new ring and colour every day until it is at its fullest on Thiruvonam. The day before, Uthradom ("first Onam"), is the day of shopping and preparation. In Thrikkakara near Kochi, the Vamana temple is the centre of traditional celebrations, and Kochi's Athachamayam procession opens the festival.
The Onam Sadhya
The highlight of Thiruvonam is the Onam Sadhya, a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf with rice and two dozen or more dishes — sambar, parippu with ghee, avial, thoran, olan, kaalan, erissery, pachadi, kichadi, pickles, banana chips, sharkara varatti, pappadam — and finished with payasam, often several kinds. There is a traditional place on the leaf for every dish.
Games and performances
Onam brings Vallam Kali snake-boat races on the backwaters, Pulikali (tiger dance) in Thrissur, Thiruvathirakali dances by women, Onakalikal games and swings. Families wear new clothes (onakodi), often the cream-and-gold kasavu.
Onam abroad
Malayali associations in the Gulf, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore hold Onam celebrations with sadhya, pookalam competitions and cultural programmes — usually on weekends spread across August and September, so check local listings.
Onam dates by year
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2027 | September 3 (Fri) – 12 (Sun), 2027 |
| 2026 | August 17 (Mon) – 26 (Wed), 2026 |
Onam 2027 — frequently asked questions
What is Onam?
Onam is Kerala's ten-day harvest festival in the month of Chingam, welcoming King Mahabali home. It runs from Atham to Thiruvonam with pookalam flower carpets, the Onam Sadhya feast on a banana leaf, Vallam Kali boat races and Pulikali.
When is Onam 2027?
Onam 2027 falls on September 3 (Fri) – 12 (Sun), 2027.
Where can I find Onam celebrations near me?
Use the MyPujaWorld events map to find Onam 2027 events, pandals and ghats near you, with timings, directions and organiser updates.
Which communities celebrate Onam?
Onam is especially important to Malayali communities, and is celebrated by Hindu families around the world.