Onam festivities begin across Keralam with traditional fervour

Onam festivities have officially commenced across Keralam, with communities embracing the harvest festival in their own distinct ways. The season has brought a wave of celebration, from traditional rituals at educational institutions to the final rush of shoppers at local markets.

At Srimathi Indira Gandhi College for Women in Tiruchirappalli, students marked the occasion with traditional attire and cultural performances. The celebrations began with the lighting of the kuthuvilakku by the college Director Aparna and Principal Gajalakshmi. Students created colourful Athapookalam floral rangolis and prepared traditional sweets to welcome Thiruvonam. The campus came alive with dance performances set to Onam songs and the rhythmic beats of Chenda Melam, with participants joining in irrespective of caste or religion.

Meanwhile, in Kannur, markets, flower shops, and sweet stalls saw heavy footfall on the eve of Onam. This pre-festival shopping rush, locally known as 'Uthrada Pachil', marks the final round of purchases before the main celebrations. Locals were seen making their last-minute buys a day ahead of the festival.

Onam is traditionally observed to commemorate the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The 10-day festival begins with the Atham star and culminates with Thiruvonam. This year, the grand Thiruvonam celebrations fall on August 26. Across the state, people are welcoming King Mahabali with floral decorations, cultural programmes, and traditional dances at homes and in local communities.