Onam Festival Date: Wednesday 26th August 2026
Onam Festival Timings:
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Starts at 10:50 PM on 25 – August – 2026
Thiruvonam Nakshathram Ends at 00:47 AM on 27 – August – 2026
About Onam Festival:
Onam is a very popular Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala. This Malayali festival is celebrated by Malayalam speaking people all over the world. Onam is celebrated in the month of Chingam as per Malayalam Solar Calendar, which usually falls in August or September. In other solar calendars Chingam month is known as Simha month and in Tamil Calendar it is known as Avani month. The day when Thiruvonam Nakshatra prevails in Chingam month is considered for the main Onam celebrations. Thiruvonam Nakshatra is also known as Shravana in other Hindu Calendars.
The festival is associated with a legend of the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu and the legendary demon King Mahabali. Onam is celebrated to welcome the annual homecoming of the Asura King Mahabali from the netherworld (Patala). It is believed that on Thiruvonam day the Asura King Mahabali visits every Malayali home and blesses his people.
Onam celebrations begin on the day of Atham Nakshatra in Chingam and continue for 10 days till Thiruvonam day, which is the main day of Onam celebration. In other Hindu Calendars, Atham Nakshatra is known as Hasta Nakshatra. People celebrate this 10-day festival with great passion and the government organizes several cultural programs and festivities throughout the state of Kerala.