Onam is the most celebrated festival in Kerala - a ten-day harvest festival in August or September that commemorates the return of the legendary King Mahabali to his beloved people. The festival is marked by the creation of elaborate flower carpets (Pookalam), the legendary Onam Sadya feast (a multi-dish vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf), traditional snake boat races (Vallam Kali), and performances of Kathakali, Pulikali, and Thiruvathira dance. An Onam invitation should convey the warmth, abundance, and cultural pride of this extraordinary celebration.
Onam Invitation Wording Templates
Family Onam Sadya:
Onam Ashamsakal - Happy Onam! The [Family Name] family invites you to celebrate Onam with a traditional Sadya feast. [Day], [Date] 2026 at [Time]. [Address]. A full traditional Kerala Sadya on banana leaves with [number] dishes. Pookalam display and Onam games to follow. Please RSVP by [date]: [phone or link]. Mahabali's blessings to you and your family!
Community Onam celebration:
[Organisation / Kerala Association Name] invites you to the [Year] Onam Mahotsavam! [Day], [Date] 2026 from [Time]. [Venue, Address]. Pookalam competition, traditional Onam Sadya, Thiruvathira and Pulikali performances, Onam games, and cultural programme. All ages welcome. Tickets: £[price] / Free (state which). RSVP at [link]. Onam Ashamsakal!
Onam Sadya lunch invitation:
You are warmly invited to a traditional Kerala Onam Sadya hosted by [Name / Organisation]. [Day], [Date] 2026 at [Time]. [Venue, Address]. A complete Sadya served on banana leaves - over [number] traditional dishes including [examples]. No prior RSVP required / RSVP by [date] at [link]. Come hungry, leave happy!
The Onam Sadya: What to Tell Your Guests
For guests who are new to Onam, the Sadya is both the culinary highlight and the symbolic heart of the celebration. A note in the invitation describing the experience helps first-time guests arrive excited and prepared: "The Onam Sadya is a traditional Kerala feast served on a banana leaf - a multi-course vegetarian meal with over 25 dishes ranging from rice and curries to pickles, pappadum, and payasam. It is one of the most extraordinary meals in Indian cuisine."
Mention whether the Sadya is fully vegetarian (traditional Onam Sadya always is), and whether it is suitable for vegans as well. Knowing this in advance helps guests with dietary requirements plan accordingly.
Onam Invitation Design
Onam invitation design centers on the Pookalam - the intricate circular flower carpet that is the festival's most iconic visual symbol. Marigolds, roses, and a rainbow of other flowers arranged in concentric geometric patterns make beautiful invitation imagery. Kerala's snake boats (Chundan Vallom), Kathakali dancers, the lush green of the Kerala landscape, and the warm gold of the harvest all contribute to Onam's distinctive visual identity.
The color palette of Onam design is characteristically vivid and tropical: deep green, golden yellow, coral orange, and the rainbow of Pookalam flower colors against a white background. Traditional Kerala mural art styles add a distinctive regional authenticity.
Create your Onam celebration invitation on Invitofy with vibrant Kerala-inspired templates. For related cultural celebration invitations, see our guides on Pongal invitations and Diwali party invitations.
