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 facing east or north. Hold water, akshat (unbroken rice), and a flower in your right palm. The Sankalp mantra below is pre-filled with today's panchang (tithi, nakshatra, samvat year, lunar month, and weekday) — only the bracketed cues marked [say "…"] remain for you to fill in: your city, your gotra, and your full name. Women replace गोत्रोत्पन्नः with गोत्रोत्पन्ना. Release the water, akshat, and flower onto a plate as you finish the mantra.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे श्वेतवाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे आर्यावर्तान्तर्गते [say "your city name"] नगरे, विक्रम संवत्सरे 2083 (सिद्धार्थी) वत्सरे, ज्येष्ठ मासे, कृष्ण पक्षे, चतुर्थी तिथौ, गुरुवासरे, उत्तराषाढ़ा नक्षत्रे, [say "your gotra, e.g. Kashyapa"] गोत्रोत्पन्नः, [say "your full name"] नामाहम्, सकल दुरित क्षय पूर्वक सकल अभीष्ट सिद्ध्यर्थं श्री वामन प्रीत्यर्थं श्री वामन-महाबलि ओणं पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये।
The tithi, nakshatra, lunar month, weekday and samvat year in the mantra above are today's values (Thursday, 4 June 2026). This puja can be performed on any day — if you're performing it on another day, say that day's panchang values instead.
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.
