Thiru Ōṇam 1901: Vancouver, British Columbia

Thiru Onam (Thiruvonam) is the grand climax of Onam, Kerala's best-known festival, observed when the Sun transits Simha Rashi (the Malayalam month of Chingam) and Shravana Nakshatra prevails.

Onam commemorates the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, a benevolent asura ruler whose reign is remembered in Kerala's folk tradition as a golden age of prosperity and equality. According to the legend, Vishnu, in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar, sent Mahabali to the netherworld, but granted him one wish: to return to visit his people once every year. Thiru Onam marks that yearly homecoming, and Keralites across the world welcome him with elaborate celebration.

The ten days leading up to Thiru Onam are filled with preparation: intricate flower carpets called Pookalam are laid at doorsteps and grow larger each day, homes are cleaned and decorated, and new clothes (Onakodi) are readied. Thiru Onam itself is marked by the Onam Sadya, a grand vegetarian feast served on banana leaves with as many as two dozen dishes, and by Vallamkali, Kerala's iconic snake boat races, along with folk performances like Pulikali (tiger dance) and Thiruvathira Kali.