Nagercoil, September 8, 2013: People in various parts of the district have started gearing up for the 10-day Onam festival with the laying of ‘Athapookalam’ (floral decoration) on Saturday.

People living in Padmanabhapuram, the erstwhile capital of Travancore State, Kuzuthurai, Sasthankarai, Nagercoil, Parvathipuram etc are all set to welcome the festival of harvest.

Onam is celebrated by all people irrespective of caste and creed across Kerala and Kanyakumari district every year.

The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the home coming of the mythical King Mahabali. It is also one of the very few festivals that are celebrated with the various cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onapattu, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Thiruvathiraikali, playing of Onapanthu etc, said the vice president of Nair Service Society of Padmanabhapuram, G.Karthikeyan Nair.

The Thovali flower market is now buzzing with activity as people from Kerala throng this place to purchase flowers for the laying of ‘Athapoovu’.

Farmers are happy as there is a sudden rise in the price of flowers due Onam and Vinayaga Chathurthi festivals.

Source: The Hindu, September 8, 2013