Kerala's Onam Extravaganza: Governor And Ministers Join Forces For A Cultural Extravaganza

Kerala’s Onam Extravaganza: Governor and Ministers Join Forces for A Cultural Extravaganza

By Business Connect Magazine
September 3, 2025

Kerala is aglow with colorful celebrations as the state plunges into its most devoutly loved festival, Onam, a 10-day harvest extravaganza that brings communities together in a stunning display of culture, tradition, and communal harmony.

This year, the celebrations, which began on August 26 and will reach their peak on September 5 with Thiruvonam, have assumed a speciality with top-level participation from state ministers and the Governor at Raj Bhavan, further establishing Onam as Kerala’s cultural pulse. From delicate Pookkalams to exciting boat races and sumptuous Onasadya feasts, the state is celebrating its rich heritage in front of the entire world.

A Grand Invitation at Raj Bhavan

In a warm gesture, Kerala’s Minister of Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas and Minister of General Education V. Sivankutty called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan on September 2 to invite him personally to the state-level Onam Week celebrations. The ministers gifted the Governor ‘Onakkodi,’ a traditional gift of garments symbolizing new beginnings, setting apart the festival mood of uniting and respecting. Governor Arlekar said that he is looking forward to participate in the celebrations, especially the grand cultural parade that will be taken out from Vellayambalam to East Fort on September 9 and which he would flag off.

This encounter highlights the festive nature of the event, which cuts across political and cultural divides. The presence of the Governor, along with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and other officials, gives an air of high-level importance to the festivities, which are likely to attract thousands, among them foreign visitors from nations such as the UK, France, and Vietnam.

Onam: A Celebration of Myth and Harvest

Based on the myth of King Mahabali, a kind Asura ruler whose golden reign was emulated as Kerala’s ideal past, Onam celebrates his return each year to see his loving people. In Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu, in his Vamana incarnation, exiled Mahabali to hell but allowed him to return once a year—celebrated through the festivities of Onam. The festival, which falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September), is also a harvest festival, marking appreciation for nature’s bounty and Kerala’s agricultural heritage.

The 10-day festival, from Atham to Thiruvonam, is a cultural extravaganza. Highlights are:

Pookkalam: Delicate floral carpets decorating homes and public areas, becoming more complex day by day, representing creativity and communal spirit.
Onasadya: The lavish vegetarian banquet on banana leaves, with more than 20 dishes such as avial, thoran, and payasam, bringing families together.
Vallam Kali: The traditional snake boat races at Alappuzha, where long, ornate boats with hundreds of oarsmen racing in a fast-paced celebration of synergy.
Cultural Performances: Classical dances such as Kathakali, Thiruvathira, and Pulikali (tiger dance) present Kerala’s artistic tradition, with colorful-clad performers enacting mythological stories.

State-Level Celebrations: A Contemporary Twist

The state government, under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is organizing a week-long celebration on September 3 at Kanakakunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram. The opening ceremony, which includes the presence of dignitaries such as actor Basil Joseph and Tamil star Ravi Mohan, will have Kerala Kalamandalam performing followed by a breathtaking drone-and-light show with almost 1,000 drones illustrating Kerala’s motifs. The festivities spread over 33 locations in the capital accommodate close to 10,000 artists and events such as music concerts, folk art, and traditional games.

The culmination on September 9 will host a cultural parade with 165 floats depicting Kerala’s heritage in the form of elephant processions, drum rhythms, and enactment of Mahabharata and Ramayana episodes. Seating for 5,000 people and foreign guests being given special accommodation, the event will be a worldwide spectacle, projecting Kerala’s tourism potential.

Onam’s Universal Appeal

Onam transcends religious and social boundaries, uniting Keralites and the global Malayali diaspora in a celebration of shared heritage. While rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival is embraced by all communities, with even Muslim-majority regions participating in cultural rituals as a secular tradition. From Thrissur’s grand parades to Kochi’s blend of traditional and modern performances, each region adds its unique flavor to the festivities.

The intercontinental presence of the festival is seen as Malayali communities across the UAE, UK, and US celebrate Onam through Pookkalams, Onasadya, and cultural functions, reviving their cultural heritage. Acts of charity, like providing Onasadya to patients in hospitals and to orphans, exemplify the essence of the festival’s generosity and open-heartedness.

A Cultural and Economic Boost

Onam is not only a cultural landmark but also an important impeller of Kerala’s economy. The season of Onam witnesses the boom in shopping, with stores humming for Onakkodi clothing and Onasadya ingredients. Tourism also receives a major impetus as tourists throng to observe the boat races, cultural events, and Pookkalam competitions, such that it becomes Kerala’s peak season in the hospitality sector.

While Kerala celebrates Onam 2025, the presence of ministers and the Governor at Raj Bhavan underscores the state’s efforts towards retaining its cultural heritage with openness to modernity. The dynamic festival keeps spinning a fabric of unity, joy, and tradition, which captures hearts within Kerala as well as all over the world.

FAQs on Kerala’s Onam 2025 Extravaganza

Q1. When is Onam celebrated in 2025?
Onam 2025 began on August 26 and will reach its peak on September 5 (Thiruvonam day). The state-level Onam Week celebrations will continue until September 9, 2025, with a grand cultural parade in Thiruvananthapuram.

Q2. Who are the key dignitaries participating in the Onam celebrations this year?
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and several ministers are participating. The Governor will flag off the cultural parade on September 9.

Q3. What is the significance of Onam?
Onam is both a harvest festival and a cultural celebration based on the legend of King Mahabali, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and Kerala’s rich heritage.

Q4. What are the highlights of Onam celebrations?

Pookkalam: Floral carpets
Onasadya: Traditional feast with over 20 dishes
Vallam Kali: Snake boat races
Cultural performances: Kathakali, Thiruvathira, Pulikali, and more
State-level events: Parades, concerts, drone-and-light shows, and folk art

Q5. What is happening at Raj Bhavan this Onam?
Kerala ministers invited the Governor with Onakkodi (traditional clothes). The Governor will participate in the festivities and flag off the grand cultural parade on September 9.

Q6. Are Onam celebrations limited to Kerala?
No. Onam is celebrated globally by the Malayali diaspora in the UAE, UK, US, and other countries, with Pookkalams, Onasadya feasts, and cultural functions.

Q7. How does Onam boost Kerala’s economy?
Onam drives shopping, tourism, and hospitality. Clothing stores, food markets, and hotels see record sales and bookings during the festival season, making it Kerala’s economic peak.

Q8. What special events are planned for Onam 2025?

September 3: Opening ceremony at Kanakakunnu Palace, with 1,000-drone light show and performances.
September 9: Grand cultural parade featuring 165 floats, traditional drums, elephant processions, and mythological enactments.

Kerala’s Onam Extravaganza: Governor and Ministers Join Forces for A Cultural Extravaganza