How to Keep Onam Traditions Alive While Living Abroad
Published on 20th July 2026 by Vismaya R K
Festival
Living thousands of kilometers away from Kerala doesn't mean leaving Onam traditions behind.
Whether you're in the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, Singapore, or the Middle East, Onam is much more than a festival, it's a celebration of family, gratitude, harvest, and homecoming. While recreating every tradition exactly as it happens in Kerala may not always be practical, the heart of the festival can travel with you.
As of 2026, Malayali communities across the world organize thousands of Onam gatherings every year, making it easier than ever for NRIs to celebrate their culture wherever they live. Even if you're celebrating at home with just your immediate family, a few meaningful traditions can make the festival feel authentic.
The good news?
You don't need 26 dishes, hundreds of flowers, or a large ancestral home to celebrate Onam. What matters most is preserving the customs that bring people together.
Here are five timeless Onam traditions you can continue, even when you're thousands of miles away from Kerala.
1. Create a Beautiful Pookalam—Even a Small One
Why it matters
A Pookalam is one of the most recognizable symbols of Onam.
Traditionally, families create a circular flower carpet outside their homes over the 10 days of Onam, adding new layers and floral patterns each day to welcome the legendary King Mahabali.
The size isn't what makes it meaningful.
The tradition represents joy, prosperity, and welcoming guests.
How to recreate it abroad
Unlike Kerala, where fresh seasonal flowers are abundant, finding identical flowers overseas can be difficult.
Instead of aiming for perfection:
Use 3–5 locally available flower varieties
Create a tabletop Pookalam
Use petals from grocery store bouquets
Add leaves for natural contrast
Involve children in designing the pattern
Even a 30 cm circular Pookalam can beautifully capture the spirit of Onam.
Why this works: The tradition is about expressing gratitude and welcoming prosperity—not about using specific flower species.
2. Celebrate Onakodi by Wearing Traditional Clothes
One of the happiest parts of Onam is receiving Onakodi, new clothes gifted to family members during the festival.
Traditionally this includes:
Kasavu Saree
Set Mundu
Kasavu Mundu
Kerala-style kurta
Traditional children's attire
Unlike food traditions, Onakodi travels anywhere in the world because it simply requires wearing traditional clothing.
Even if you can't visit Kerala before Onam, many NRIs now order authentic Kasavu wear online months in advance.
Why people continue this tradition
Traditional attire immediately creates a festive atmosphere.
Family photographs become lifelong memories.
Children born abroad also learn about Kerala's cultural identity through these customs.
Buying Kasavu Wear Outside India
Many authentic Kerala clothing stores still ship only within India.
Services like Shoppre allow NRIs to purchase Kasavu sarees, mundus, and festive clothing from Indian websites by providing an Indian shipping address, where orders can be consolidated and forwarded internationally to 220+ countries. This makes accessing traditional Onam attire easier, even when local options are limited.
3. Visit a Temple or Join a Malayali Community Event
Celebrating alone can sometimes make festivals feel incomplete.
Fortunately, many cities around the world now have active Malayali communities.
Since the Malayali diaspora has grown significantly over the past decade, temples and Kerala cultural associations regularly organize:
Onam celebrations
Community Onasadya
Cultural performances
Traditional games
Children's competitions
Pulikali performances
Kathakali demonstrations
Kalaripayattu shows
These gatherings recreate the community atmosphere that many people miss after moving abroad.
Check for events near you
Search for:
Kerala Association + Your City
Malayali Association
Indian Cultural Association
Hindu Temple Onam Celebration
Many events are announced several weeks before Thiruvonam.
4. Prepare a Simple Onasadya at Home
Many people believe Onam isn't complete without a grand feast.
They're right.
But that doesn't mean you need to prepare 26 different dishes.
A traditional Onasadya usually includes 20–26 vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf. However, the exact menu varies by region, family tradition, and household preferences.
For families celebrating abroad, a smaller version can still preserve the essence of the festival.
Essential dishes to include
Rice
Sambar
Avial
Thoran
Pickle
Banana Chips
Pappadam
Payasam
Even if you prepare only 6–8 dishes, the experience still feels authentic when shared together as a family.
The ritual of sitting together and eating from a banana-leaf-style plate often carries more emotional value than matching the exact number of dishes.
Finding Authentic Ingredients Abroad
Some ingredients used in traditional Onasadya may not be available in local supermarkets.
Many Indian grocery stores overseas stock festival essentials, but specialty Kerala ingredients can still be difficult to source.
If your preferred brands or ingredients are only available in India, Shoppre helps customers buy from Indian online stores that don't offer international shipping. Orders are first delivered to Shoppre's Indian warehouse, where multiple purchases can be consolidated before being shipped overseas, making it easier to prepare an authentic Onasadya regardless of where you live.
5. Join or Organize a Community Onasadya
One tradition that beautifully adapts outside Kerala is the community Onasadya.
Instead of one family preparing every dish, everyone contributes.
One family may cook:
Avial
Another:
Sambar
Someone else brings:
Payasam
Another family:
Banana Chips
This potluck-style celebration reduces cooking effort while creating the same sense of togetherness found in Kerala.
It also gives children an opportunity to meet other Malayali families and experience Onam as a shared cultural celebration rather than just another holiday.
If no local event exists, consider inviting a few friends for a simple Onam lunch.
Often, the conversations around the table become the most memorable part of the festival.
Why These Traditions Matter More Than Perfection
Many NRIs worry they cannot celebrate Onam "properly."
The reality is quite the opposite.
Onam has always been about:
Gratitude
Family
Community
Sharing food
Welcoming prosperity
Remembering Kerala's rich cultural heritage
Whether your Pookalam has 100 flowers or just four, whether your Sadya has 26 dishes or seven, or whether you're celebrating in Kochi, Toronto, Sydney, Dubai, or London, the meaning remains the same.
Traditions survive because people continue practicing them, not because every detail is identical.
Celebrate Onam Wherever You Call Home
Distance may separate you from Kerala, but it doesn't have to separate you from its traditions.
By creating a simple Pookalam, wearing traditional attire, preparing a heartfelt Onasadya, joining your local Malayali community, and sharing the festival with family and friends, you can celebrate Onam with the same warmth and joy found back home.
If you're planning your celebration and need authentic Kerala clothing, specialty groceries, or festival essentials that aren't available locally, Shoppre makes it easy to shop from Indian online stores and have your purchases forwarded internationally, helping you keep cherished traditions alive, wherever you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I celebrate Onam outside India?
Yes. Millions of NRIs celebrate Onam worldwide through family gatherings, temple events, community Onasadya, and cultural programs.
2. Do I need all 26 dishes for an authentic Onasadya?
No. While a traditional Onasadya often includes 20–26 dishes, preparing a smaller meal with core items such as rice, sambar, avial, and payasam still captures the spirit of the festival.
3. What is Onakodi?
Onakodi is the tradition of wearing or gifting new clothes during Onam, symbolizing new beginnings and festive celebrations.
4. What flowers can I use for a Pookalam abroad?
You can use any fresh flowers available locally. The symbolism and creativity matter more than using specific flower varieties.
5. Where can I find Onam celebrations overseas?
Many cities have Kerala associations, Indian cultural organizations, and temples that organize Onam events. Searching online for "Kerala Association" along with your city is a good place to start.
6. How can I buy authentic Kerala products while living abroad?
If an Indian online store does not ship internationally, services like Shoppre provide an Indian delivery address, consolidate your purchases, and forward them to over 220 countries.
7. What's the most important Onam tradition?
While customs vary by family, spending time together, sharing a festive meal, expressing gratitude, and celebrating Kerala's culture are widely regarded as the heart of Onam.
