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Onam
Kerala's great harvest festival — celebrating the mythical golden age of King Mahabali.
📅 August 29 – 10 days🌙 Lunar calendar
✦ Why It Matters
Onam celebrates the annual visit of King Mahabali, the beloved demon king who ruled a golden age of prosperity and equality. Lord Vishnu granted him one annual visit to his people. It is the most important festival of Kerala.
✦ How It Is Observed
Pookalam (flower carpet made fresh each of 10 days), grand Onam Sadya feast (24+ dish vegetarian meal on banana leaf), Vallam Kali snake boat races, Kathakali performances.
✦ Sacred Text
“Maveli Nadu Vanidum Kalam — In the time of Mahabali's reign, all people were equal, there was no sorrow, no fear of death.”
— Kerala oral tradition ↗
Note on dates: This holiday follows a lunar or lunisolar calendar. The date shown is approximate for 2025–2026. Exact dates may vary by one or two days depending on moon sighting and regional tradition. Always confirm with your local community.