Onam 2025: What Is Pookalam, Its Significance, And Which Flowers Are Used to Make It?

Onam is widely celebrated in South Indian, especially in Kerala. According to the Malayalam calendar, this harvest festival falls on the 22nd Nakshatra, Thiruvonam. In 2025, the festival begins on August 26. One of the most vibrant traditions of Onam is the making of Pookalam—a floral rangoli that carries deep cultural and spiritual significance. Read to know more about it.

What Is Pookalam & Its Significance?

As per Hoovu, Pookalam is a combination of two words: “poo” means flowers, and “kalam” means colour sketch. Pookalam is also known as Athapookalam or Onapookalam and is created on the floor in front of homes. For people in southern India, this flower rangoli holds a deep cultural importance, and many of them make it to welcome the Onam festival. 

Significance

Ten small rings or circular layers form a Pookalam. But why? Well, each ring represents a different deity. The first ring represents Lord Ganesha, the second represents Shiva and Shakti, the third again celebrates Lord Shiva, the fourth represents Lord Brahma, and the fifth symbolises Pancha Boothangal. The sixth ring is for Shanmughan and Lord Muruga, the seventh represents Guru, the eighth symbolises Ashta Digpalakar, the ninth is for Lord Indra, and the final tenth ring represents Lord Vishnu. The Pookalam is completed using different colours of flowers. 

In these ten days, the Pookalam design goes like each day one flower is used, like on the first day, only one type of flower is used, the second day, two different colours are used, and on the final day, it has ten different colours.

Also Read: Discover The Wonder Of Water At The Guardians Of Water Festival At Expo City Dubai

Flowers Traditionally Used In Pookalam

According to Flower Aura, for the traditional flower rangoli during Onam, Pookalam, the most common flowers used are Marigold, the tiny white Thumba flower, the red Chethi, Hibiscus, the blue Shankupushpam, and fragrant Jasmine and Tulsi leaves. Many devotees believe that Pookalam represents the eternal battle between Asuras (demons) and Devas (gods). 

This ten-day festival will start on August 26th and will end on September 8. So, are you excited to celebrate Onam? Tell us in the comments below!

Also Read: Worlds Largest Hip Hop Festival, Rolling Loud, Is Making Its India Debut In Nov; Dates, Venue; More Here!

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons