Onam 2023: Schools, Colleges, Banks Closed In Kerala; 4 Districts In TN Declare Local Holiday

Schools, colleges, and banks in Kerala will remain closed until August 30, as the state celebrates the Onam festival. The government has declared a public holiday on August 29 and 30.

Onam is the biggest festival in Kerala and is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. The festival marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, who is said to have ruled Kerala with justice and prosperity.

During the Onam festival, people clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and rangolis. They also buy new clothes and jewelry to wear for the festival.

The highlight of the Onam festival is the feast, which typically includes Onam Sadhya, a traditional meal of 26 dishes. Onam Sadhya is a vegetarian meal that is made with a variety of vegetables, rice, and lentils. It is also served with a variety of pickles, chutneys, and sauces. The feast is usually eaten on a banana leaf.

In addition to feasting, people also enjoy other cultural activities such as boat races, dance performances, and music concerts. Onam is a time for families to come together and celebrate their culture and heritage.

Chennai has also declared a local holiday on Monday, August 29, to mark the Onam festival. All government offices, schools, and colleges will be closed on that day. To compensate for the holiday, September 2 will be a working day. Not just Chennai, local holidays have been declared in Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari and Tiruppur as well.

The Onam festival is a major event in Kerala and is celebrated by people of all faiths. It is a time for people to come together to celebrate the harvest and to pray for peace and prosperity.