Amid continued considerations of elevated COVID-19 circumstances and excessive take a look at positivity fee (TPR), Keralites celebrated a low-key Thiru Onam on Saturday, avoiding the same old mass festivities however with out shedding the normal gaiety and pomp.
This is the second yr in a row that the pandemic has taken away the sheen of the southern state’s largest competition and compelled individuals to rejoice it indoors. In reality, Onam was affected by 2018 when the state witnessed the floods of the century in August that yr. The state had witnessed related pure calamities together with landslides through the Onam season in 2019.
Though the high-voltage festivities have been lacking, homes have been embellished with lovely “pookalam” as traditional, flower rugs and splendid ‘sadhyas’ have been ready by housewives on Thiruvonam day right this moment to mark the homecoming of the righteous King Mahabali .
The apply of elders presenting ‘onakkodi’ (new costume) to different relations, getting ready tongue-tickling banana chips and placing oojal (excessive swings) within the courtyards additionally continued with out fail, particularly within the villages.
However, holding in thoughts the directions of the well being division, most individuals averted mass household gatherings and visiting the houses of mates and family members.
The show of conventional artwork kinds and video games, which have been a colourful a part of the Onam competition, was lacking this yr as effectively.
Industry sources mentioned that although main inns have ready Onam feasts with a spread of conventional dishes promising residence supply, the variety of takers was usually much less.
The Atham competition, which marks the start of the 10-day Onam competition, was additionally held within the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One group of dignitaries Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others prolonged Onam greetings to the individuals of the state.
“Greetings on the special occasion of Onam, a festival of positivity, vitality, brotherhood and harmony. I pray for everyone’s good health and well being,” Modi tweeted.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
