Week-long Onam celebrations begin in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep.2 (ANI): Week-long festivities commenced here on Monday as Onam festival celebrations got off to a colourful start.

Kerala Chief Minister, V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday inaugurated the celebrations on the occasion of Onam here and honoured Malayalam actor Mohanlal in recognition of his completion of three decades in filmdom.

Union minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, State Tourism and State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Water Resources minister N K Premachandran were present during the function.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also greeted people on the occasion of Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala and said it was a tribute to farmers.

During the week, various cultural programmes will be held and will last till September 7. (ANI)