Thiruvananthapuram: Onam was celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Kerala on Thursday after its celebration in the last two years were marred by the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.
In 2018 and 2019 also, Onam celebrations were dampened by the devastating floods in parts of the state.
Unlike the previous two years, people were not confined to their homes and celebrated Thiruvonam, whose highlight is the sumptuous 'sadhya' or feast, with their loved ones and friends.
Homes were decorated with beautiful floral carpets called 'pookkolam' of various designs and colours, family members gifted 'onakkodi' (new dresses) to each other and several varieties of banana chips, which Kerala is famous for, were prepared for the feast in households across the southern state.
In villages, people also put up high swings or 'oonjal' in the courtyards of their homes.
Subsequent to the feast, which comprised various traditional vegetarian dishes, pickles and desserts that are served on a banana leaf, people visited their relatives and close friends and took part in mass family gatherings which was not possible for the last two years.
There were also displays of traditional art forms and games, a part of the Onam festivities, which were missing for the last two years.
Onam is a festival connected with the return of Asura (demon) King Mahabali, under whose reign everyone lived in happiness and equality.
According to folklore, envious of his popularity, the Devas (Gods) sought the help of Lord Vishnu to get him banished into the netherworld but before going down, Mahabali secured a boon from Vishnu to visit his subjects every year on Thiruvonam Day, which this year falls on September 8.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted people on Onam and said, "Onam greetings to everyone, especially the people of Kerala and Malayali community spread around the world. This festival reaffirms the vital role of Mother Nature and the importance of our hardworking farmers. May Onam also further the spirit of harmony in our society."
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar had on Wednesday extended their Onam greetings to all citizens, wishing everyone peace and prosperity.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too on Wednesday had extended their Onam greetings to the people of the southern state and Malayalis across the world.
Kerala Guv, Chief Minister extend Onam greetings
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended their Onam greetings to the people of the southern state and Malayalis across the world.
"I convey my heartiest Onam greetings to the people of the state and other Keralites all over the world. The celebration of Onam calls to mind the treasured legacy of a life of equality, oneness and prosperity and enlivens every home with the ethereal joy of festivity," Khan said in a statement issued by Raj Bhavan.
Vijayan, in a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), said Onam teaches us to unite by transcending our differences and also speaks of a time when there was no inequality.
This is the thought process which can fuel our efforts to achieve a social order in the future where everyone is equal, the CM said and wished a prosperous Onam to Malayalis all over the world.
Earlier in the day, Khan, in his greetings, said everyone should come together to "spread the melody, beauty and sparkle of Onam across the globe as Kerala's unique message of love, equality and harmony".