Onam 2027 Date: Thiruvonam on 12 September
Onam 2027 (Thiruvonam) is on Sunday, 12 September 2027. The Thiruvonam nakshatra runs from 2:58 AM on 12 September to 6:04 AM on 13 September (IST). Onam celebrations span ten days, beginning on Atham.
| Thiruvonam | Sunday, 12 September 2027 |
| Thiruvonam nakshatra (IST) | 2:58 AM, 12 Sep to 6:04 AM, 13 Sep 2027 |
| Calendar | Malayalam month of Chingam (solar) |
| Festival length | 10 days, Atham to Thiruvonam |
What is Onam?
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala and its most important celebration, observed by Malayalis of all communities. Its main day falls when the Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra prevails in the month of Chingam. Tradition holds that it welcomes the annual return of King Mahabali, a just and generous Asura ruler, who was sent to the netherworld by Vishnu in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar but was granted the boon of visiting his people once a year.
How Onam is celebrated
- Pookalam: floral carpets laid at the entrance, growing larger each day from Atham to Thiruvonam.
- Onam Sadya: a vegetarian feast of 20 or more dishes served on a banana leaf, including sambar, avial, olan, thoran, pachadi, and payasam.
- Vallam Kali: snake-boat races, including the Aranmula Uthrattathi boat race and others on Kerala’s backwaters.
- Pulikali: performers painted as tigers dance through Thrissur.
- Onakkodi: new clothes, traditionally the cream-and-gold kasavu saree and mundu.
- Thrikkakara Appan: clay pyramids representing Vamana are placed in courtyards.
Frequently asked questions
When is Onam 2027?
Thiruvonam is on Sunday, 12 September 2027.
Why is Onam celebrated?
It celebrates the harvest and the homecoming of King Mahabali, according to Kerala tradition.
