The Hindu : Onam celebrated with gaiety

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Onam celebrated with gaiety

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Aug. 21. The festival of prosperity, Onam was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety in the city today.

A large number of organisations and youth clubs had set up "Athapookkalam'' at various centres in the city. However, the hike in the prices for the flowers had prompted several organisations to prepare "athapoo'' using coloured crystal salt.

Devotees in large numbers visited various temples in the city. A large number of people came to offer worship at the Pazhavangadi Mahaganapathi temple, Sree Padmanabhaswami temple, Sreekanteswaram temple, Peroor Sree Krishna temple and Attukal Bhagavathy temple. Several devotees also submitted "manjakkodi'' in the temples.

While the women members were busy preparing the "onasadya'', the kids were busy with the games as well watching various special programmes in the television channels.

In the noon, it was feast time in most of the houses with the traditional "Onasadya'' with varieties of delicious payasams, upperi, kaalan, olan and aviyal.

Meanwhile, most of the hotels in the city also arranged "Onasadya'' with the aim of attracting tourists. The sadyas at the Mascot hotel, Hotel Chaithram and various hotels in Kovalam also attracted large crowds.

The Payasamela and the "Naadan bhakshyamela'' at the KTDC Hotel Chaithram drew large crowds. Some restaurants also took the occasion to prepare "carry home Onasadyas'' with the traditional dishes.

Special "Onasadya'' was given to the inmates of various orphanages in the city. The inmates of the Sree Chithra Home were offered "Onasadya'' by well-wishers. The Sathya Sai Trust also organised special programmes as part of Onam celebrations.

In the evening, people in large numbers turned out at the venues of the Onam Week celebrations organised by the State Government.

Though the celebrations were curtailed this year in view of the financial constraints and also due to the Kumarakom boat tragedy, most of the venues drew large crowds.

Several old film melodies, "Manjalayil mungi thorthi....'', "Suprabhatam...'', "Chandrikayil aliyunnu....'' and the latest hit, "Prayam nammil....'' were presented in the ganamela by the playback singer, P. Jayachandran, at the Poojappura grounds.

The traditional "Onavillu chaarthal'' was performed at the Sree Padmanabhaswami temple in the morning under the guidance of the priests. As usual several devotees were present to get the "Onavillu'', which is considered as a symbol of prosperity.

Meanwhile, the Rig Vedic brahmins performed the "upakarma'' (changing of the sacred thread) on their Avani Avittom day.

The upakarma for the Yajurvedi brahmins would be held at various centres in the city on Thursday.

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