Happy Onam images, wishes and greeting cards
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated with flower carpets, a grand vegetarian feast, boat races, music and dance. Choose a design, add your name and message, and download it free.
When: Ten days in the Malayalam month of Chingam, usually in August or September, with Thiruvonam as the main day. The date changes every year.
Onam greeting images (9 designs)
Golden glowOnashamsakal to you and family
Pattern panelMay Onam bring joy and plenty
Night skylineHappy Onam, Kerala style
Bokeh lightsFlowers, feast and festivity
Mandala circleProsperity and happiness always
Classic frameWishing you a bright Onam
Wishes for familyOnashamsakal to my dear family! May our home be as bright and joyful as a pookalam, ful…
Blessings for loved onesDear Amma and Achan, thank you for every Onam sadya and every memory. Wishing you a joy…
Heartfelt messageWishing you a joyful Onam filled with happiness, prosperity and the company of your lov…Tap a design to personalise it and download.
When is Onam? Dates for 2026
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | Confirmed |
- The main day, Thiruvonam. The 2027 date is not shown because published calendars disagree.
Dates last checked on 2026-10-21. See the full 2026 festival calendar.
About Onam
Onam is the biggest festival of the Indian state of Kerala and is celebrated by Malayalis around the world. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam, usually in August or September, and lasts ten days, with Thiruvonam as the most important day. Onam marks the harvest and, according to legend, the annual return of the just and beloved king Mahabali to visit his people.
Homes are decorated with intricate flower carpets called pookalam, which grow larger each day. The highlight is the Onasadya, a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf with a dozen or more dishes. Other customs include the Vallam Kali snake-boat races, Pulikali tiger dances, Kaikottikali dance, new clothes called Onakodi, and swings hung from trees. The traditional greeting is “Happy Onam” or “Onashamsakal”.
How Onam is celebrated
- Making colourful flower carpets (pookalam) at the doorstep.
- Enjoying the Onasadya feast on a banana leaf.
- Wearing new clothes, traditionally cream and gold kasavu.
- Watching or joining Vallam Kali boat races and Pulikali.
- Visiting relatives and playing traditional games and dances.
Onam wishes for family
Heartfelt messages for parents, siblings, spouses, children and relatives. Copy one, or open a message card above to edit it and download it as an image.
- Onashamsakal to my dear family! May our home be as bright and joyful as a pookalam, full of love and togetherness.
- Dear Amma and Achan, thank you for every Onam sadya and every memory. Wishing you a joyful and healthy Onam.
- To my brothers and sisters: another Onam, another reason to be together. Happy Onam!
- To my beloved spouse, may our life together be as sweet as payasam. Happy Onam, my love.
- Happy Onam, my little ones! May you enjoy the flowers, the feast and all the fun of the festival.
- Wishing all our relatives a prosperous Onam. May our family gatherings be full of laughter and good food.
Onam wishes and messages
Copy a message to send with your image, or use it as a caption.
- Wishing you a joyful Onam filled with happiness, prosperity and the company of your loved ones. Onashamsakal!
- May the pookalam of your life be full of bright colours and happy moments. Happy Onam!
- May King Mahabali’s blessings bring you health, wealth and peace this Onam.
- Enjoy the sadya, the flowers and the festivities. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thiruvonam.
- May this Onam bring new hope and new beginnings to your home. Happy Onam!
- Sending warm Onam wishes from my home to yours. May your year be full of plenty.
Onam greeting in Malayalam
ഓണാശംസകൾ
Pronounced: Onashamsakal
Several of the images above carry this greeting, which is a thoughtful touch for friends and family who speak Malayalam.
Frequently asked questions
When is Onam in 2026?
Onam in 2026 is on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The main day, Thiruvonam. The 2027 date is not shown because published calendars disagree.
Why is Onam celebrated?
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala and celebrates the legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to return each year to visit his subjects.
What is a pookalam?
A pookalam is a floral carpet made at the entrance of a home during Onam, usually in circular patterns with fresh flowers and petals.
What is Onasadya?
Onasadya is the traditional Onam feast, a vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf, with many dishes such as rice, sambar, avial, thoran, pickles and payasam.
