Festival guide

Onam

ओणम

Kerala's harvest festival welcoming King Mahabali.

At a glance

How is Onam dated?

Onam is an annual Hindu observance whose Gregorian date can change each year. Samvat calculates each year's date from its nakshatra Panchang rule; choose a year for the exact date and tithi.

Also known as: Thiruvonam, Thiru Onam.

Yearly reference

Onam dates by year

Choose a year for the exact Gregorian date, Hindu date, observance rule, and related calendar links.

Regional names and traditions

Onam, Thiruvonam, and Malayalam calendar context

Onam is associated with the Thiruvonam nakshatra and Kerala calendar. Samvat calculates it with a Kerala baseline, but temple and family observance details can still vary locally.

Explore the regional festival guide

Why this date?

Falls when Thiruvonam (Shravana) nakshatra prevails during Chingam, the Malayalam solar month when the Sun is in Simha. Samvat calculates this for a Kerala baseline using the Thiruvananthapuram sunrise.

Learn how Hindu calendar dates are calculated

Onam tithi and Panchang details

Date determined by

Nakshatra in the solar month

Category

Regional festival

Nakshatra

Shravana

Dietary practice

No specific restriction

Significance

Celebrates the annual return of the mythical King Mahabali.

Traditions and Regions

Traditions

Pookalam flower rangoliOnasadya feastVallam Kali boat race

Observed in

Kerala

Common questions

How is Onam dated?

Onam is an annual Hindu observance whose Gregorian date can change each year. Samvat calculates each year's date from its nakshatra Panchang rule; choose a year for the exact date and tithi.

What is the tithi for Onam?

The Hindu date is calculated separately each year from the tithi, paksha, and Hindu month for Onam. Choose a year above to see the details.

Can the date differ by city?

Yes. Panchang values depend on sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and timezone. Samvat's public festival page uses an India-baseline calculation; local observance can differ by city, sampradaya, or family tradition.