As in the rest of Kerala, Onam is celebrated with immense grandeur in Thalassery. The ten-day harvest festival, which falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/September), commemorates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. The town participates in laying beautiful flower carpets (Pookalam), feasting on the massive traditional vegetarian meal (Onasadya), and organizing various cultural programs.
