Chennai: Onam, the annual harvest festival of Kerala, is one of the major events celebrated with pomp and show by the Malayalee community across the world. The festival commemorates the return of a mythical and righteous king, King Mahabali, and brings communities together.
This festival falls in the first month – Chingam – Malayalam calendar and for 10 days duration. It begins and ends to mark the Malayalam New Year thiruvonam. Ten days sequentially are known as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Visakam, Anizam, Thriketta, Moolam, Poordam, Uttaradam and Thiruvonam. This year the festival will start on August 12 and end on August 23.
The festive celebrations usually begin at the Vamanamurthy Thrikkakara Temple in Kochi. A variety of activities and celebrations such as boat races, tiger dance, folk songs and dances, sports competitions, martial arts, flower rangolis and prayers are performed during the festival. Grand feasts (onasadya) are served in homes during the festival.
Read also | 2.38 lakh tonnes of coal missing from North Chennai Thermal Power Station: Tamil Nadu Power Minister
Low-key celebrations for the fourth year in a row
Hit by floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival has become a low-key affair for Malayalees for the fourth year in a row. Kerala was hit by massive floods in 2018 and 2019, while the pandemic hit the country in 2020. Keralites have agreed to celebrate it behind their closed doors.
Many leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor have greeted the public on Onam.
Best wishes on the special occasion of Onam, a festival of positivity, vitality, brotherhood and harmony. I pray for everyone’s good health and well being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 21 August 2021
Onam is a symbol of peace and harmony. On this holy festival, I extend my warm greetings to all my Malayalee sisters and brothers across the world. May the taste of Sadya and the musical melody of Pulikali bring lots of happiness and prosperity to all. Happy Onam!
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 21 August 2021
Onam celebrates the spirit of equality and unity. It represents the pluralistic spirit of Kerala. I am glad that I have experienced this happiness up close and personally.
Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Onam. – Rahul Gandhi From pic.twitter.com/0lZLjgpUae
— srinivasi wife (@srinivasiyc) 21 August 2021
There is an Onam swing tradition that is usually left to young girls. I was persuaded to get into the spirit of things this year. Happy Onam! pic.twitter.com/Z23nJ9Fmfp
Shashi Tharoor (Hashshi Tharoor) 21 August 2021
.