Onam is a yearly Hindu festival with origins in the Indian state of Kerala. It falls in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam. The festival honors the Vamana avatar of Vishnu. Onam is basically a Keralian harvest festival. Being the official festival of Kerala, Onam is a public holiday and is observed with numerous festivities. The festival is also celebrated by non-Hindu communities of the state of Kerala. The celebrations of Onam include boat races, martial arts, music, plantain offerings, mask dance, folk songs, dances and other performances.
When Is Onam Holidays In 2018?
When is the Onam festival celebrated in 2018? Refer the following table:
| Year | Date | Day | Festival | States |
| 2018 | 24 August 2018 | Friday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 25 August 2018 | Saturday | Thiruvonam | Kerala |
When Is Onam Holidays In 2019?
When is the Onam festival celebrated in 2019? Refer the following table:
| Year | Date | Day | Festival | States |
| 2019 | 09/10/19 | Tuesday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 11 September 2019 | Wednesday | Thiruvonam | Kerala |
Onam Holidays 2020-2030
The following table outlines Onam holidays for the next 10 years:
| Year | Date | Day | Festival | States |
| 2020 | 24 August 2020 | Sunday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 25 August 2020 | Monday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2021 | 10 September 2021 | Friday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 11 September 2021 | Saturday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2022 | 07 September 2022 | Wednesday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 08 September 2022 | Thursday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2023 | 29 August 2023 | Monday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 30 August 2023 | Tuesday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2024 | 14 September 2024 | Saturday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 15 September 2024 | Sunday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2025 | 04 September 2025 | Thursday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 05 September 2025 | Friday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2026 | 25 August 2026 | Monday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 27 August 2026 | Wednesday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2027 | 12 September 2027 | Saturday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 13 September 2027 | Sunday | Thiruvonam | Kerala | |
| 2028 | 01 September 2028 | Thursday | First Onam | Kerala |
| 02 September 2028 | Friday | Thiruvonam | Kerala |
Significance Of Onam
Chingam, the Malayalam month, brings a plenty of happiness and assurance. The people across the state of Kerala celebrate this festival with joy. Onam is basically a ten-day festival that commences on Hastham star and ends on Thiruvonam star. Being a popular Hindu festival, it is an epitome of affluence, prosperity and plenitude. The ceremonies for the festival of Onam are assigned to recall the past so that all the future expectations come true.
Top Five Onam Festival Attractions
Thripunithura Athachamayam: The festival of Thripunithura Athachamayam features a street period attended by decorated elephants, musicians and various traditional Kerala art forms. The festival has interesting beginnings that can be traced back to the Kochi’s Maharaja.
Thrikkakara Temple: Thikkakara is certainly associated with the festival of Onam. The main highlight is the grand procession. Ceremonies shall begin with a flag hoisting.
Feasting: Onam is incomplete without a festival feast. It is referred to as Onasadya traditionally. It consists of a number of verities.
Pulikkali Tiger Play: The art of Pulikalli is one of the quickest festivals in the country. The best-dressed tiger is awarded.
Arunmula Snake Boat Race: Snake boat race is another highlight of the Kerala Onam festival. The event has religious importance.
Destinations To Spend Onam Holidays 2018
- Thrippunithura: Thrippunithura is the best destination to spot the festivities of Onam. The venue hosts a huge number of cultural events through the ten days of Onam. Thrikkakara is considered the place of origin of Onam.
- Trivandrum: Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, is where Kerala Tourism organises its own celebrations for Onam. For one week, tourists can catch various events, food stalls, art shows and handicraft fairs. On the last day of the festival, the city hosts a huge parade.
- Aramula: Aramula Snake Boat race brings in thousands of viewers and more than 50 competing boats. Snake boats are a cultural individuality of the state of Kerala.
- Puli Kali dances in Thrissur: Onam also has the popular Puli Kali dance. The dance exhibition has hundreds of men with tiger-like body mask and paint.
