Onam is Kerala's biggest festival, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (usually August or September). It marks the harvest and the legendary homecoming of King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered as a time of equality and plenty.
Pookalam — the flower carpets
For the ten days of Onam, families lay intricate floral designs called pookalam at their doorsteps, adding a new ring of flowers each day. Offices, schools and hotels compete with ever larger designs.
The Onam sadya
The heart of the festival is the sadya, a vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf on Thiruvonam day. Expect avial, thoran, olan, kalan, sambar, rasam, pickles and at least two kinds of payasam.
Travelling during Onam
Onam is a joyful time to visit, but it is also peak domestic travel season. Houseboats and hill-station stays book up early, and some shops close on the main days — plan and book ahead.
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