Onam, which is an annual harvest festival of
Kerala, has created a festive mood in God's own country. The festival
is mainly celebrated by Keralies(Kanaduga or Malayalees ) around the world with traditional
folk dances, artworks, etc,.
Women in the region dressed in traditional attires of red and white
saris with glittering gold, engaged themselves making floral carpets and
enjoying the flavour of the season.
People offered prayers in temples early in the morning while the day
was marked by feast and festivities, including cultural programmes
organised by various institutions.
According to the Onam story and its popular myth, Lord Vishnu in his
Vamana avtar sents King Mahabali to hell as the gods become jealous of
his popularity. But grants him a boon that the king can visit his
subjects once in a year. Thus, it is believed that Onam is celebrated as
King Mahabali's visit to the place. It is the only festival in which
both the winner and the defeater are worshipped.
Flower mats (Pookalam) were laid in houses
and family members enjoyed the grand feast (Onasadya). A week-long
cultural extravagance organised by the state tourism department as part
of Onam festival is underway in several places since September 5.
Soaring prices of essential commodities did not dampen the spirit of
the people who thronged markets till last night to buy their favourite
items for Onam celebrations.
Long queues of people were seen at the fair-price shops opened by
State Civil Supplies Corporation, Horticorp and Consumer fed, as part of
government efforts to control spiralling prices in the open market.
High price of vegetables, the main ingredient for the feast, literally
put the households in tight spot.
The harvest festival brings many colours with it and thus celebrated
in a grand way in Kerala. It was that spirit of unity irrespective of
caste, religion and creed that reflected in the state as people came
together to wish each other a happy Onam.
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