Onam Celebrations in Kerala: Prayers, Feasts, and Compassion Amidst Wayanad Landslide Recovery
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 15: On the occasion of Onam, people visited the Pazhavangadi Ganpathi temple and the Padmanabhaswamy temple to offer prayers. Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It is a ten-day festival, with the main day called Thiruvonam.
On Thiruvonam, people wear new clothes, visit temples, and exchange sweets and clothes with friends and family. They also play games and create floral carpets called Pookkalam in front of their homes. However, this year, there are no official celebrations due to the Wayanad landslide.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended greetings and emphasized ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad following the landslides on July 30. He urged everyone to donate generously to the relief fund for Wayanad’s rehabilitation, highlighting the spirit of Onam, which teaches equality and unity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes, expressing hope for peace, prosperity, and well-being. He praised the great culture of Kerala and noted that Onam is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Malayalee community worldwide.
In Ernakulam, the Thrikkakara Temple hosted the Uthrada Sadya, a grand traditional feast for around 20,000 people, as part of the ongoing Onam celebrations. The ten-day festival concludes with Thiruvonam, celebrated on September 15 this year.
Doubts Revealed
Onam -: Onam is a big festival in Kerala, a state in India. It celebrates the harvest, which means when crops are collected from the fields.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters, beaches, and festivals like Onam.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in Kerala. It is known for its hills, forests, and wildlife. Recently, it faced a landslide, which is when a lot of earth and rocks slide down a hill.
Landslide -: A landslide happens when a lot of soil, rocks, and other materials move quickly down a slope. It can cause a lot of damage to houses and roads.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan -: Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala. The Chief Minister is like the head of the state government.
Rehabilitation efforts -: Rehabilitation efforts are actions taken to help people and places recover after a disaster, like a landslide. This can include rebuilding homes and providing food and medical care.
Relief fund -: A relief fund is money collected to help people who are in trouble because of disasters like floods or landslides. People can donate money to this fund to help others.
PM Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister (PM) of India. The Prime Minister is the leader of the country.
Ernakulam -: Ernakulam is a district in Kerala. It is known for its busy city life and is a major commercial center.
Thrikkakara Temple -: Thrikkakara Temple is a famous temple in Kerala. It is especially important during the Onam festival.
Thiruvonam -: Thiruvonam is the most important day of the Onam festival. It marks the end of the ten-day celebrations.