Experience Onam in Kerala with Club Mahindra

As the monsoon begins to ease, Kerala gets ready for Onam. For travellers, the festival offers a different way to experience God’s Own Country. Alongside the backwaters, beaches and hills, you get to see the traditions, food and everyday celebrations that give the state its distinct cultural identity.

At a Glance

What is Onam?

Onam is closely associated with the legend of King Mahabali, whose annual return to Kerala is celebrated as a time of prosperity and harmony. The festival is marked by pookkalams, the floral designs created outside homes, the grand vegetarian sadhya served on banana leaves and a host of games and cultural activities.

But you don't have to know the traditions beforehand to enjoy Onam. That is part of its appeal. Families gather, neighbourhoods get involved and visitors get to see Kerala in a particularly festive mood.

It is also a chance to experience the state beyond its usual holiday highlights. The backwaters and tea plantations are still there, of course. During Onam, though, there is another layer to the journey: the food on the table, flowers at the doorstep and celebrations happening around you.

Find Your Onam Experience

Different parts of Kerala offer different settings for a festive getaway, so your choice of resort can shape the holiday. For a backwater escape, head to Club Mahindra Ashtamudi. Traditional Kerala architecture and the tranquil shores of Ashtamudi Lake create a relaxed setting for a few days away. Club Mahindra Arookutty, meanwhile, puts you amid swaying palms, canals and paddy fields, with the Alappuzha backwaters close by.

Along the coast, Club Mahindra Cherai brings together the laid-back appeal of Cherai Beach and Kerala's backwater landscapes. At Club Mahindra Poovar, mangrove-lined backwaters, boat rides and a quieter beach make for a more laid-back coastal break.

Amidst the hills, look towards Club Mahindra Lakeview Munnar, overlooking the waters of Anayirangal Dam, or Club Mahindra Mount Serene, surrounded by Munnar's tea estates. Club Mahindra Thekkady offers another highland setting, with rain-soaked forests and spice plantations around the Western Ghats.

And if your holiday continues beyond Kerala, Club Mahindra Madikeri in neighbouring Karnataka is an easy way to extend the Western Ghats experience. Coffee estates, forest trails and Kodagu hospitality offer a different regional flavour to the trip.

Onam in a Day

Not planning a full holiday around the festival? Club Mahindra Arookutty is also hosting a special Onam Daycation from 15th August to 7th September 2026, between 10 AM and 6 PM.

• A traditional welcome: Start the day with a traditional Kerala welcome, including kasavu draping and local drinks.
• Resort activities: Make use of the swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games, and wellness activities such as yoga and Zumba.
• Pookkalam competition: Families can create their own floral designs together, bringing one of Onam's most recognisable traditions to life.
• Traditional sadhya: Enjoy an elaborate vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, featuring a variety of Kerala dishes.
• Music, games and performances: The afternoon features cultural performances, chenda melam, tug of war, musical chairs and uriyadi, giving different generations plenty of ways to join in.

Celebrate With Your Family

Onam is a festival built around togetherness, which makes it particularly well suited to a family holiday. You could spend the morning exploring Kerala's backwaters, return for a traditional meal and finish the day with music and games. Or simply slow down at the resort and let the celebrations come to you.

However you choose to experience it, Onam offers a closer look at Kerala's culture, food and traditions at a time when the entire state feels a little more festive.

Planning your Onam getaway? Follow Club Mahindra on Instagram for festive inspiration, highlights from our resorts in God’s Own Country, and the latest updates on this year's Onam experiences.