Onam celebration this year across India was low key affair due to Kerala Floods

Richa Pandya
@npnews24x7

Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala which is also known as the harvest festival. It should also be marked that it is a state festival, not a religious festival. It falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug – Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali.

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Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala cultures and traditions. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam.

This year, Onam has been on a low key as flood has covered the whole state. The rains have created a trouble but the Keralite’s spirit has not got down. Natives of Kerala living outside of state has also sent help to them and have not enjoyed the festival to fullest this year. The people here have not celebrated Onam the same way they would have celebrated it every year. But yet the festivity is there to some extent.

Dr. Bindu Ronald, Professor, and Director at one of the reputed colleges in Pune said, “People in Kerala are recovering from the recent floods and are in the process of rebuilding their lives. People of Kerala stood together to face the recent problem. Not just the people of Kerala stood for each other but the entire nation has stood shoulder to shoulder. Though Onam celebration is on a lower key this year across Kerala and in other parts, the spirit of Onam can be seen among people and the floods cannot drown that.”

Antony William, Resident of Kochi said, “There is a little celebration going on but not much as every year we do. Especially the Government itself is not willing to celebrate it, they have called off the celebration on Government’s part. People sheltered in camps are celebrating and the volunteer teams are providing the support to the sufferers of the drastic flood. Ten days long celebration usually starts with Attam which is the beginning day of the festival. Midst of these days is celebrated by arranging boat ride”

Boat race of Kerala is the eldest and loved vessel races of Kerala. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting is watched by an exciting crowd. These boats that take part in the event dedicated to Lord Parthasarathy (Lord Krishna) are known as Palliyodams. The worst flood of the century has been witnessed by the country this year and that has affected the oldest Boat Race Festival of the state. 

Rinta Jaison, Resident of Pune who basically belongs to Kerala said, “There are several customs and traditions that are associated with the festival of Onam. The houses are cleaned and the courtyards are beautifully decorated with designs made of flowers (pookkalam). In the evenings, oil lamps illuminate the courtyards. Women are seen performing the Thiruvathirakali dance around the lamps. People wear new dresses. A grand lunch forms part of the festivities. The sweet dish Payasam is an important item on the menu.”

This time around festivities will be the last thing on people’s minds as they have suffered from the devastation caused by the flood that claimed 231 lives. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as the prosperity of its citizens.”