Create an elaborate Pookalam (flower rangoli) at the entrance of the home using fresh flowers of multiple colours – thumba, mukkutti, chembarathi, and other local flowers. The pattern grows larger each day of the ten-day celebration. On Thiruvonam, it should be the grandest.

Place the Thrikkakara Appan (clay pyramid idol representing Vamana/Mahabali) in the centre of the Pookalam. Light the Nilavilakku (brass lamp) with coconut oil. Offer flowers, rice, and coconut. This is the heart of the Onam puja.

Prepare and serve the Onasadya – the grand vegetarian feast of 26+ dishes on banana leaves. Traditional items include avial, olan, kalan, pachadi, payasam (pradhaman), sambar, rasam, pickles, chips, and rice. Everyone sits on the floor. The feast is served in a specific order from left to right on the leaf.

Participate in traditional Onam games: Vallam Kali (boat race), Pulikali (tiger dance), Onathappan (clap game), Thumbi Thullal (women's dance), and Kaikotti Kali (group dance). These communal activities embody the spirit of equality that Mahabali's reign represented.

Light the Nilavilakku in the evening. Offer fresh flowers at the Pookalam. Pray for Mahabali's blessings – that his spirit of justice, generosity, and equality may prevail. On the day after Thiruvonam, bid farewell to Mahabali until next year.