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The harvest festival of Kerala, Onam, is celebrated every year in August and September with great joy and enthusiasm. It is the only harvest festival of Kerala and brings people together to honour traditions and showcase the state’s rich culture. For ten days, streets are adorned with colourful pookalams, and homes prepare the traditional Onam feast. This vibrant celebration includes lively dances, melodious music, and cherished customs, reflecting Kerala’s unique heritage. Onam is a time of community spirit and happiness, eagerly awaited by people across the state.
About Onam
Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a beloved mythical ruler believed to return each year to visit his people. The ten-day festival begins with Atham and ends with Thiruvonam, the most important day, each marked by unique rituals and traditions. Homes are adorned with intricate pookalams, and families prepare the grand vegetarian feast, Onam Sadya. Beyond homes and temples, streets and villages come alive with cultural events like snake boat races, Kathakali and Thiruvathira dances, and music concerts. Schools and organisations host competitions, making Onam a vibrant, inclusive festival that showcases Kerala’s rich heritage and spirit.
Places To Visit During Onam
Discover the best places to visit during Onam to experience vibrant celebrations, traditional rituals, and Kerala’s rich cultural heritage in full festive spirit.
1. Thrissur
Photo: Anirudhanmuthuvara / Wikimedia Commons
Thrissur is the cultural city of Kerala and is at its best during Onam. The city is filled with many ceremonies, ranging from big processions to dance and music performances. The Vadakkunnathan Temple in the city is intricately decorated, and traditional programs are organised for tourists. Thrissur also organises Pulikali, in which performers decorate themselves as tigers and hunters and dance to the rhythm of drums. The event is very popular and is a carnival in itself. Besides, the cultural depth of the city adds to it being an absolute destination to be visited during Onam.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport
Major Attractions: Vadakkunnathan Temple, Pulikali (Tiger Dance), Cultural processions, Traditional dance and music performances.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Thrissur For A Memorable Vacation
2. Kochi
Photo: Mayur Nair / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The bustling port city of Kochi has a different way of celebrating Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala. The city streets are adorned with floral decorations, and cultural programs are held across different neighbourhoods. You can experience a mix of traditional events and modern festivities here. Moreover, Kochi is a great place to see different art forms, as theatres and community centres host Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and music concerts during the festival. Shopping malls and local markets also hold sales and decorating events that make people feel even more festive. The backwaters of Kochi are also beautiful during Onam, which makes the city a complete vacation spot.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport
Major Attractions: Floral decorations, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam performances, Music concerts, Local markets and shopping festivals, Backwaters.
3. Alappuzha
Photo: Manoj Karingamadathil / Wikimedia Commons
Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is world-famous for its snake boat races. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, usually held around Onam, draws participants and tourists from all over. Long, decorated snake boats manned by dozens of rowers create a thrilling spectacle on the backwaters. Moreover, the festive cheer in Alappuzha is unmatched, with locals and visitors gathering along the banks to cheer for their favourite teams. Apart from the races, houseboat cruises and seeing the villages all decked up with flower arrangements are possible. This ideal combination of centuries-old sporting and natural beauty converts Alappuzha into a festive Onam destination.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport
Major Attractions: Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race, Houseboat cruises, Flower-decorated villages, Backwaters.
Suggested Read: Amazing Things To Do In Kerala
4. Thiruvananthapuram
Photo: Aadila K.A / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, celebrates Onam with a royal touch. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is central to the festivities, with rituals and cultural programs attracting large crowds. The city organises grand parades that feature decorated floats, traditional dances, and folk performances. Moreover, the government arranges Onam Week celebrations, where multiple venues host concerts, food fairs, and exhibitions. During this time, beaches near Thiruvananthapuram, like Kovalam and Varkala, get busy with people and cultural events. This place gives you a rich Onam experience with its mix of custom and modernity.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
Major Attractions: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Grand Onam parades, Food fairs, Cultural concerts, Kovalam and Varkala beaches.
5. Palakkad
Photo: Syed Shah Hussain / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Palakkad is the best spot to go if you want to celebrate Onam in a rural atmosphere. People in this area celebrate Onam with community meals, folk dances, and farming ceremonies. You may see local competitions, traditional art forms, and processions that show Kerala’s agricultural heritage. Palakkad’s temples, such as Kalpathy and Jainmedu, hold ceremonies that draw both worshippers and tourists. The paddy fields and hills in the area also make the celebrations look even better. Palakkad gives you a more intimate view of Onam, away from the crowds of larger cities.
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport
Major Attractions: Kalpathy and Jainmedu Temples, Folk dances, Community meals, Traditional art forms, Paddy fields, and rural settings.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Palakkad
Things To Do During Onam
Explore exciting things to do during Onam, from enjoying traditional feasts and cultural performances to participating in boat races and festive games across Kerala.
1. Watch A Snake Boat Race
Photo: Alenalexp / Wikimedia Commons
Attending a snake boat race during Onam is an experience you will never forget. The crowds’ cheers and the beat of the oars hitting the water make for an exciting scene. Nearly 100 people row in each boat, and the battle is tough. The boats that are painted and the songs that the oarsmen sing add cultural depth to the show. A lot of the time, travelers get caught up in the action and cheer for their favorite teams. Cultural events are often held concurrently with these races, making the day even more exciting.
Location: Alappuzha, Kerala
Major Attractions: Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Pampa River, Traditional snake boats, Festive cultural events.
2. Relish The Onam Sadya
Photo: Santhosh Varghese / Shutterstock
The Onam Sadya is a grand vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf. It consists of over 20 dishes, including curries, pickles, chips, and payasams. The mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy flavours makes it unique. Moreover, eating it with your hand adds to the authenticity of the experience. The Sadya is more than a festival cuisine; it’s a cultural practice that brings families together. Also, a lot of restaurants and homestays make Sadya for their guests, so you can try Kerala’s traditional food at its best.
Location: Across Kerala
Major Attractions: Onam Sadya feast, Banana leaf dining, Over 20 traditional vegetarian dishes, Local restaurants and homestays serving Sadya.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Places To Visit In Kerala To Experience God’s Own Country
3. Witness Pulikali
Photo: HAPPY MUKHERJEE / Shutterstock
One of the best parts of Onam is Pulikali. People dress up as tigers and dance in groups to the sound of traditional drums. People mostly do this traditional art in Thrissur, where thousands of people come to watch it. The enthusiasm and colour make it a fun event that is great for taking pictures. Pulikali also shows off Kerala’s folk traditions, which makes it more than just a show. Local communities also get ready for weeks to make sure the event is big and fun. It gives visitors a unique cultural memory of Onam.
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
Major Attractions: Pulikali tiger dance, Traditional drum performances, Colourful folk art, Large-scale cultural procession.
4. Take Part In Pookalam Competitions
Photo: Joydeep Sensarma / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Pookalams are floral carpets designed at the entrance of homes and public spaces during Onam. People make intricate designs with fresh flowers in competitions at schools, colleges, and community centres. The patterns usually show stories from mythology or geometric shapes. These tournaments can be quite interesting to watch or take part in since they show how creative and cooperative people can be. The smell of the flowers and the joyous mood also make it a happy time.
Location: Kerala
Major Attractions: Floral carpet designs, Mythological and geometric patterns, Flower arrangement competitions, and Community participation.
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Kerala In July For A Serene Trip
5. Enjoy Cultural Programs
Photo: ashikask / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Onam is the best time to experience Kerala’s performing arts. Across the state, you can watch Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathira, and classical music concerts. Local organisations host performances by artists, so it is within everybody’s reach. The vibrant costumes, dance performances with rhythm and foot-tapping music remind us of Kerala’s cultural diversity. Additionally, some venues arrange street plays and folk dramas, which are equally engaging. Attending these programs gives you a sense of how the community comes together during Onam, keeping traditions alive through performance and celebration.
Location: Kerala
Major Attractions: Kathakali dance, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathira, Classical music concerts, Street plays and folk dramas.
Where To Eat
Kerala during Onam is a food lover’s paradise, with the highlight being the traditional Onam Sadya served at temples, homestays, and restaurants. In Kochi, try Dhe Puttu or Ginger House for an authentic experience, while Trivandrum’s Villa Maya and Mother’s Veg Plaza offer elaborate Sadyas loved by locals and tourists alike. During Onam week, food stalls selling snacks like banana chips and unniyappam add to the festive atmosphere, making dining out a joyful part of the celebration.
Suggested Read: Offbeat Places In Kerala For An Amazing Getaway
Where To Stay
Photo: Khadeeja Yasser / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
During Onam, Kerala’s hotels, resorts, and homestays offer special packages to welcome visitors. In Kochi, boutique hotels near Fort Kochi blend comfort with cultural charm. Alappuzha’s houseboats provide a unique way to celebrate Onam while cruising the backwaters. Trivandrum features heritage hotels close to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple for easy access to festivities. Homestays across Kerala offer a personal experience, inviting guests to join local Onam traditions. Booking early is essential during this busy season, and staying in a homestay allows you to celebrate Onam like a local.
Onam is more than just the harvest festival of Kerala; it’s a grand celebration of culture, traditions, and community. Enjoy thrilling snake boat races in Alappuzha, vibrant Pulikali performances in Thrissur, and the warm hospitality of locals. Visiting during Onam lets you experience Kerala at its most colourful and joyful. Whether joining festivities, watching boat races, or sharing a Sadya, Onam creates unforgettable memories. Plan your trip with TripXL to celebrate life the Kerala way—vividly, joyfully, and wholeheartedly.
Cover Photo: Jithin Murali / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
