Onam celebrated across country

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Keralites across the country celebrated Onam, the harvest festival, with traditional gaiety and religious fervour today.

The celebrations had started a few days ago and will continue for some more days after the ''Thiruonam'' day today.

The festival was marked by special prayers in temples, traditional feasts on plantain leaf and cultural programmes including ''Kaikottikkali, Kathakali and Thiruvathira.'' In the national capital, Delhi Malayalee Association organised a function last night to mark the occasion. Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi inaugurated the function while Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was the chief guest. Other guests included CPI-M polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury, Arya samaj president Swami Agnivesh and Delhi Arch Bishop Vincent Concessao.

Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri inaugurated Onam festival of St Mary's Cathedral at Hauz Khas.

A number of other organisations in various parts of the capital had organised special functions to celebrate the festival.

The India Habitat Centre also witnessed a two-day Onam festival jointly organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademy, Cutural Centres of North and South Zones and Kerala Tourism.

A special food festival was organised at the Kerala House here which was attended by hundreds of people.

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