Onam is Kerala's most celebrated harvest festival, marking the golden time of the year when the state comes alive with vibrant traditions, elaborate feasts, and joyous celebrations. This ten-day festival, culminating in Thiruvonam, is a time for families to reunite, communities to bond, and hearts to overflow with gratitude for nature's bounty.
Whether you're part of the Malayali diaspora worldwide or simply want to join in Kerala's grandest celebration, sharing heartfelt Onam wishes is a beautiful way to spread the festival's spirit of unity, prosperity, and joy. Our collection of Onam greetings captures the essence of this magnificent festival.
The Significance of Onam Festival
Onam celebrates the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered as Kerala's golden age of prosperity and equality. According to mythology, King Mahabali visits Kerala every year during Onam to bless his beloved subjects. The festival represents the triumph of good over evil and the importance of humility, sacrifice, and devotion.
The Story Behind Onam
King Mahabali was a benevolent ruler whose kingdom knew no poverty, crime, or sorrow. However, the gods became concerned about his growing power and sent Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, to test him. Mahabali's generosity and humility impressed Vamana so much that he was granted the boon to visit his kingdom once every year - during Onam.
How Onam is Celebrated
Onam is a festival that engages all the senses with its rich traditions, colorful decorations, sumptuous feasts, and cultural performances. Here are the key elements that make Onam celebrations special:
Pookalam - Floral Carpets
- Beautiful Rangoli: Intricate floral carpets made with fresh flowers, especially marigolds and thumba flowers
- Daily Addition: New layers of flowers are added each day of the ten-day celebration
- Community Activity: Often created collectively by families and neighborhoods
- Artistic Expression: Designs range from simple circles to elaborate patterns with peacocks and elephants
Onasadhya - The Grand Feast
- Vegetarian Banquet: Elaborate feast served on banana leaves with 20+ traditional dishes
- Specific Menu: Includes rice, sambar, avial, thoran, payasam, and many other Kerala delicacies
- Family Gathering: The most important meal brings together extended families
- Cultural Significance: Represents abundance and gratitude for the harvest
Beautiful Onam Wish Images
Express your Onam greetings with our specially designed wish images that capture the festival's vibrant spirit. Each image reflects the joy, prosperity, and cultural richness of Kerala's harvest celebration.
Free Onam Wish Images
Click on any image to view details, download in high resolution, or share with your loved ones. All images are free to download and perfect for social media sharing.
Onam is not just a festival of cherish but a moment to reincarnate a past of prosperity and goodness
Lets welcome king of mahabali who comes to visit his his subjects once a year during the festival se...
May your life be decorated like pookalam sail in harmony like a snake boat
The onam celebration is an occasion for people to remind themselves of the all pervasive nature of t...
Traditional Onam Activities
Onam celebrations extend far beyond decorations and feasts. The festival is a showcase of Kerala's rich cultural heritage through various traditional activities:
Cultural Performances
- Kathakali: Classical dance-drama performances telling mythological stories
- Mohiniyattam: Graceful classical dance form performed by women
- Theyyam: Ritualistic art form combining dance, music, and spectacular costumes
- Pulikali: Tiger dance where performers paint themselves as tigers and leopards
Traditional Games and Sports
- Vallamkali: Snake boat races held in Kerala's backwaters
- Talappanthukali: Traditional ball game played with coconut shells
- Ambeyyal: Archery competitions
- Kayyankali: Mock combat performances
Modern Onam Celebrations
While maintaining its traditional roots, Onam has evolved to embrace contemporary celebrations while preserving its cultural essence:
Global Celebrations
- Diaspora Communities: Malayali communities worldwide organize Onam celebrations
- Cultural Centers: Indian cultural centers host Onam events in major cities
- Virtual Celebrations: Online Onam programs connecting families across continents
- Social Media: Digital sharing of Onam wishes and celebrations
Contemporary Traditions
- Onam Shopping: Special sales and promotions during the festival season
- Corporate Celebrations: Companies organize Onam events for employees
- School Programs: Educational institutions conduct Onam cultural programs
- Tourism Boost: Kerala promotes Onam as a major tourist attraction
"Onam is not just a festival; it's a celebration of Kerala's soul, where every heart beats in unison with the rhythm of tradition, and every home welcomes prosperity with open arms."
Onam Wishes and Greetings
Sharing Onam wishes is an integral part of the celebration. Here are some meaningful ways to express your Onam greetings:
Traditional Onam Greetings
- "Onam Ashamsakal": Traditional Malayalam greeting meaning "Onam wishes"
- "Thiruvonam Ashamsakal": Specific greeting for the main Onam day
- "Shubh Onam": Popular greeting meaning "Happy Onam"
- Regional Variations: Different communities have their unique ways of greeting
Modern Onam Messages
- Social Media Posts: Share Onam images with heartfelt captions
- WhatsApp Messages: Send personalized Onam wishes to family and friends
- Email Greetings: Professional Onam wishes for colleagues and business associates
- Video Messages: Record personal Onam greetings for loved ones far away
Onam Festival Calendar
Onam spans ten days, each with its own significance and traditions. Understanding the festival calendar helps you participate meaningfully in the celebrations:
The Ten Days of Onam
- Day 1 - Atham: Festival begins with the first pookalam
- Day 2 - Chithira: Pookalam gets bigger with more flowers
- Day 3 - Chothi: Shopping for new clothes begins
- Day 4 - Vishakam: Preparations for the grand feast start
- Day 5 - Anizham: Snake boat races take place
- Day 6 - Thriketa: Family gatherings intensify
- Day 7 - Moolam: Cultural programs and competitions
- Day 8 - Pooradam: Idol of King Mahabali is installed
- Day 9 - Uthradom: Final preparations for Thiruvonam
- Day 10 - Thiruvonam: The grand finale with Onasadhya feast
Tips for Celebrating Onam
Whether you're celebrating Onam for the first time or continuing family traditions, here are some tips to make your celebration memorable:
- Plan Early: Start planning your pookalam design and Onasadhya menu well in advance
- Involve Everyone: Make it a community affair by involving neighbors and friends
- Learn Traditions: Understand the significance behind each ritual and tradition
- Share Digitally: Use our Onam wish images to share greetings on social media
- Support Local: Buy flowers and ingredients from local vendors to support the community
- Document Memories: Take photos and videos to preserve precious family moments
Onam Around the World
Onam's celebration has transcended geographical boundaries, with Malayali communities worldwide organizing grand festivities that keep their cultural heritage alive while adapting to local contexts.
- United States: Major cities host Onam celebrations with cultural programs and Onasadhya
- Middle East: Large Malayali population organizes elaborate Onam festivals
- Singapore & Malaysia: Government recognition and public celebrations of Onam
- United Kingdom: Community centers organize Onam events with traditional activities
- Australia: Outdoor Onam celebrations taking advantage of the spring season
Onam represents the beautiful confluence of mythology, tradition, and celebration that makes Kerala's culture so vibrant and enduring. Whether you're preparing pookalam, planning Onasadhya, or simply sharing warm wishes with loved ones, this harvest festival reminds us of the importance of gratitude, unity, and joy in our lives.
Download our beautiful Onam wish images and spread the festival's message of prosperity, peace, and happiness. May this Onam bring abundance to your home and joy to your heart. Onam Ashamsakal!