It Is Onam Today And This Is How Flood-Hit Kerala Came Together To Celebrate The Big Festival

Under 'normal' circumstance, today an entire state should have been celebrating their biggest festival - Onam. But this year, the floods which wreaked havoc across the state have take the sheen out the celebrations.

On a day which should have been celebrated with loved ones at home, making floral carpets, preparing Onasadya and welcoming the returning mythical King Mahabali, this time around there was hardly any celebrations. With lakhs of them still living in relief camps, their Onam too was celebrated there.

And typical of Onam, which is rooted in Hindu mythology, but is celebrated across religions in Kerala, the celebrations in the relief camps were no different. Everyone chipped in with their bit of contributions, be it to prepare the Onam Pookalam or Onam Sadhya.

Here is a glimpse of the undying spirit of Onam even in relief camps.

Pookalam in a relief camp in Paravoor?

BCCL

Preparing Onam Sadya in a relief camp in Chengannur?

ANI

Onasadhya being prepared in church in Paravoor, which is now a relief camp for more than 4000 people?

Onasadya for inmates of a relief camp in?Alappuzha?

A pookalam which symbolizes the inclusiveness of Onam

No flower for pookalam? No problem!

Union Minister KJ Alphons visiting a relief camp on Onam

With the state still reeling under the effects of the flood, a large number of Keralites this year have volunteered to give up the celebration and donate that money to help those in distress.

And as Malayalis say, if onam is the celebration of an egalitarian society, where everyone cared for everyone else and loved each other, this is the best Onam ever!?