In the UAE, Onam 2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday, 26 August, with Thiruvonam, the main day of the festival, falling on that date.
Dubai, UAE- Onam is one of Kerala’s most celebrated festivals, bringing together traditions of harvest, family, culture, prosperity and community. At the heart of the celebrations is Onam Sadhya, the grand traditional feast that turns a simple banana leaf into a colorful spread of Kerala’s finest vegetarian cuisine. Onam is traditionally celebrated over ten days, with Thiruvonam being the most important day. The festival is closely associated with the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered in Kerala tradition as a time of prosperity, equality and happiness. Onam celebrations also feature Pookalam, the beautiful floral designs created outside homes, traditional art forms, cultural programmes and the famous snake boat races.
Onam Sadhya is much more than an ordinary festive meal. Sadhya means a feast in Malayalam and the traditional Kerala Sadhya is a vegetarian banquet usually served on a banana leaf. On Thiruvonam, this becomes the special Onasadya. Depending on the region, family tradition and occasion, the number of dishes can vary considerably, with Kerala Tourism noting spreads that can include more than 25 dishes and, in some descriptions, more than 40 preparations. The meal brings together rice, vegetables, lentils, coconut, yoghurt, spices, pickles, savouries and several varieties of sweet Payasam. Some of the best known dishes include Avial, a mixed vegetable preparation with coconut, Thoran, a vegetable dish prepared with grated coconut, Olan, made with ingredients such as pumpkin, ash gourd and coconut milk, Erissery, Kaalan, Pachadi, Kichadi, Kootu Curry, Sambar and Rasam. The spread is also accompanied by banana chips, Sharkara Varatti, Pappadam, ginger pickle, mango pickle and lime pickle.
The way Sadhya is served is itself part of the tradition. The banana leaf is traditionally placed before the guest with its tapering end pointing to the left. The different side dishes and savouries are arranged in a customary manner, while rice is served on the lower portion of the leaf closer to the person eating. Traditionally, the accompanying dishes are served before the rice, followed by different courses of curries. Parippu with ghee and Sambar are among the important early courses, while Rasam, curd based preparations and buttermilk feature later in the meal.
Then comes one of the most loved parts of the entire experience, Payasam. This traditional Kerala dessert can be prepared in several ways, including Ada Pradhaman, Palada, Parippu Payasam and Semiya Payasam. Ripe banana is also commonly enjoyed with Payasam. The variety of dishes means that the meal moves through different tastes and textures, from spicy and tangy to mild and sweet.
But the importance of Onam Sadhya goes beyond the food itself. It represents abundance, hospitality and togetherness. Families come together to prepare and share the feast, while communities recreate the tradition far beyond Kerala. For Malayalis living across the world, including the UAE, Sadhya offers a powerful connection to Kerala’s food, memories and cultural identity. It is this combination of tradition, flavour and togetherness that makes Onam Sadhya much more than a festive lunch.
It is Kerala’s story of celebration, served on a banana leaf.
The Malayali community has been an integral part of the UAE’s social and economic journey for decades, with generations of Keralites building their lives and careers across the Emirates. From healthcare, education, hospitality, construction and retail to finance, technology, entrepreneurship and professional services, Malayalis have contributed across a wide spectrum of the UAE economy. Their strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, community values and commitment to excellence have made them an important part of the country’s development story.
Beyond their professional contributions, the community has also enriched the UAE’s multicultural fabric through its language, cuisine, traditions, arts and festivals, while maintaining deep respect for the country they call home. For generations, the UAE and Kerala have shared strong people-to-people ties, with the Malayali diaspora serving as a meaningful bridge between the two.
Onam in the UAE is therefore more than a celebration of Kerala’s heritage; it is also a celebration of the generations of Malayalis who have made the UAE their home and contributed to its remarkable journey of progress.
EmiratesReporter.com wishes everyone a very Happy Onam — may your celebrations be filled with happiness, togetherness, and a delicious Sadhya!
