Thiruvananthapuram: To start off the Onam festivities, Kerala Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas officially switched on the festival lights in the state capital last evening, setting the stage for the grand Onam Week celebrations organised by the state government, which begins today.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will formally inaugurate the state-level celebrations at the Nishagandhi Open Air Auditorium today at 6 pm.
The city’s streets, from Kowdiar to Manacaud, will be illuminated with vibrant lights throughout the celebrations, which will run until September 9. The festivities, led by the Tourism Department, will culminate with a cultural procession on the final day.
“Onam is a festival that reflects Kerala’s religious harmony. The season attracts many tourists to the state, giving a great fillip to the tourism sector,” Riyas said.
The switch-on ceremony for the Onam celebrations was presided over by Minister for General Education and Labour, V. Sivankutty, at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds. The event was also attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, MP A.A. Raheem, MLAs C.K. Hareendran, I.B. Satheesh, V.K. Prashanth, and Tourism Director Sikha Surendran. Minister Riyas and Sivankutty jointly hoisted the Onam festival flag, marking the official start of the festivities.
Earlier, Minister Riyas inaugurated the Onam Food Festival at the Sooryakanthi Exhibition Grounds, offering a variety of traditional Kerala dishes and delicacies. A Media Centre was also opened at Kanakakkunnu to support the event.
In a display of the inclusive spirit of Onam, MLAs, employees from the city corporation, district panchayat, government secretariat, and media personnel participated in a tug-of-war at the Central Stadium.
This year’s Onam celebrations are being held on a grander scale, featuring thousands of artists representing Kerala’s classical, ethnic, folk, and martial art traditions. The capital city, district headquarters, and numerous other locations across the state have been beautifully decorated, setting the stage for a vibrant display of Malayali culture.
Around 10,000 artistes, including performers from other states, will present their talents in the colourful Onam programmes. The Tourism Department, District Tourism Promotion Councils and District Administrations will coordinate events in other districts.
