A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to King Mahabali and Lord Vamana (Vishnu's fifth avatar)
From the first day of Onam (Atham), add one concentric ring of flowers to the pookalam each morning until Thiruvonam, when the final ring is added — creating a 10-ringed floral carpet at the doorway to welcome King Mahabali.
On Thiruvonam, bathe early and wear traditional Kerala dress — kasavu saree for women, mundu for men. Apply chandan on the forehead.
Sit before the pookalam and the Thrikkakara Appan idol. Take Sankalp — welcoming King Mahabali's annual visit to Kerala and honouring Lord Vishnu's Vamana avatara who blessed Mahabali with this annual return.
ॐ अद्य श्रावण/भाद्रपद शुक्ल श्रवण नक्षत्रे ओणं पूजनम् करिष्ये।
Worship Lord Ganesha briefly with yellow flowers and durva.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Light the brass lamps (nilavilakku) with sesame oil. Traditionally five or nine lamps are lit — one at the centre of the pookalam and others around the puja area. The lamps symbolise prosperity, welcome, and the continuous presence of the divine.
Worship the pyramidal clay idol of Thrikkakara Appan (Lord Vamana). Perform brief Shodashopachara — offering flowers, chandan, akshat, tulsi, dhupa, deepa, and naivedya (payasam, rice, banana, coconut).
ॐ वामनाय नमः॥ ॐ श्री महाविष्णवे नमः॥
Stand at the pookalam and symbolically welcome King Mahabali with the traditional Onam greeting 'Maveli Thiruvonam Vannu'. Offer a lighted brass lamp and flowers at the pookalam. Narrate the story of Mahabali and Vamana to the younger family members.
Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama — the thousand names of Vishnu — especially the verses describing the Vamana avatar. Alternatively, recite the Narayaneeyam or short verses from the Bhagavata Purana on Vamana.
ॐ नमो नारायणाय॥ वामनाय त्रिविक्रमाय नमः॥
Perform a brief deeparadhana (lamp waving) in front of the Thrikkakara Appan. Sing traditional Onam songs — 'Maveli Nadu Vaneedum Kalam' — describing the golden age of Mahabali. The community joins in song and dance.
The culmination of the puja is the Onam Sadya — the grand 26-dish vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. The family and neighbours sit together. Start with a piece of banana and plate of rice, and proceed through all the dishes culminating in payasam. This shared meal is the living memory of Mahabali's just and prosperous rule.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.