Onam 2026: Thiruvonam brings Keralam alive with homecomings, feasts and cherished traditions

The vibrant colours of Onam were in full bloom across Kerala on Wednesday with people celebrating the auspicious Thiruvonam the culmination of the states 10day Onam festivities with family gatherings and reunions that brought together generationsFrom the laughter of children around flower carpets to the joyful reunions of families separated by oceans Keralam came alive as people celebrated the festival with joy and fervourFor many households the harvest festival was more than a day of traditional food and new clothes It was a longawaited homecoming with sons daughters and grandchildren returning from different parts of the world to sit together for the grand Onam sadya feast a delicious spread of mouthwatering spread largely vegetarianIn several homes the arrival of family members from foreign countries added a special warmth to the celebrationsOnam feels truly complete when the entire family comes together We had been eagerly waiting for our children and grandchildren to return and having them with us today is the most precious gift Susheela Devi a retired government employee from Pandalam in Pathanamthitta told PTIDevi whose both children work abroad eagerly looks forward to the Onam season in Kerala each year preparing homemade banana chips and delicious sharkara upperi jaggerycoated banana chips in anticipation of her grandchildrens arrivalThe morning began with people stepping out in signature Onam attire with women in kasavu sarees and men in mundu dhoti as temples across the state drew devotees from the early hoursAt the Guruvayoor Sreekrishna temple and other major shrines large numbers of devotees arrived to offer prayers on the auspicious Thiruvonam dayThe grey skies and intermittent showers in several parts of the state failed to dampen the festive moodAcross homes children and youngsters competed to create colourful pookkalams floral carpets experimenting with patterns flowers and designs For the younger generation however Onam was also about the simple pleasures of a new dress a swing in the courtyard and an indulgent feastI am so excited to wear my new Onam dress today I helped make the pookkalam and Im looking forward to spending the day playing on the oonjal swing and enjoying the sadya feast said Adithi a sixyearold girl from ThiruvananthapuramPoorna another youngster summed up the excitement of the day differently I like Onam because everyone is at home we get new clothes and there is payasamIn villages and residential neighbourhoods traditional oonjals appeared in courtyards drawing children and adults alike The swings once an inseparable part of village Onam continued to provide a familiar link with celebrations of earlier generationsThe highlight of the day in most households is the sumptuous Onam sadya with families gathering around banana leaves for a spread of mostly vegetarian dishesOnam sadya comprises a sumptuous spread of traditional vegetarian delicaciesavial olan thoran erissery sambar parippu curry pachadi kichadi pickles pappadam and payasam sweet pudding served on a banana leafWomen and other family members began preparations early turning kitchens into busy spaces as different dishes were cooked and served togetherOutside homes local clubs and community groups kept the festive spirit alive with traditional competitions and cultural programmes Vadamvali uriyadi and other games brought together people of different generations while performances of Pulikali Thiruvathira and Theyyam added colour to public celebrationsFor many the enduring appeal of Onam lies in this ability to bring together different generations and communitiesThe festival is traditionally associated with the mythical demon King Mahabali whose rule is remembered in Keralams folklore as a period of prosperity equality and happinessAccording to legend of Onam Mahabali was sent to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu but was granted permission to return once a year to meet his people giving rise to the enduring belief that his annual homecoming takes place on ThiruvonamThe festival has over the years grown beyond its mythological origins to become a shared cultural celebration cutting across social and religious boundariesIt is also one of Keralams busiest shopping periods Markets malls and streets remained crowded in the days leading up to Thiruvonam with families making lastminute purchases for clothes food and household celebrationsFairprice outlets operated by the State Civil Supplies Corporation Horticorp and Consumerfed also witnessed queues as people stocked up for the feastBut as the shops began to empty and the streets slowly quietened on Wednesday the heart of Onam remained inside homes around dining tables courtyards and flowerdecked entrances where families gathered to celebrate togetherAnd for families reunited after long separations the most cherished part of the festival was perhaps not the elaborate feast or the new clothes but simply having everyone back homeThis story has been sourced from 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