Onam · Thiruvonam
Kerala's harvest festival — King Mahabali comes home.
Kerala
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, 26 August 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, 12 September 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, 1 September 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 22 August 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, 9 September 2030 |
| 2031 | Saturday, 30 August 2031 |
Dates are for Mumbai. A tithi that changes close to sunrise or sunset can fall a day earlier or later in another city, so for your own town open the festival in the app.
When it falls
When the Moon reaches Shravana and the Sun is in Leo. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.
The story
Mahabali, a just asura king, was sent to the netherworld by Vishnu's Vamana avatar but allowed to visit his people once a year. Kerala welcomes him for ten days ending on Thiruvonam.
How it is kept
Pookalam flower carpets, the Onam sadya of two dozen dishes on a banana leaf, snake-boat races, and Pulikali tiger dances.
Common questions
When is Onam · Thiruvonam in 2027?
In 2027, Onam · Thiruvonam falls on Sunday, 12 September 2027 in Mumbai. Dates for other years are in the table above.
How is the date of Onam · Thiruvonam decided?
When the Moon reaches Shravana and the Sun is in Leo. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.
How is Onam · Thiruvonam kept?
Pookalam flower carpets, the Onam sadya of two dozen dishes on a banana leaf, snake-boat races, and Pulikali tiger dances.
Other festivals nearby
Open the Muhurtha app to see Onam · Thiruvonam for your own town, with the exact time its tithi begins and ends. How every festival is dated.
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