Kerala government to provide six lakh free Onam kits to poor families

The Kerala government has decided to provide over six lakh free Onam kits to poor families and residents of welfare institutions in the state for the Onam  festival this year. This decision was taken by the government in a cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on 16 August 2023. The ten days long Onam festival will start from the 20th of this month and will end on 29th of August 2023.

The government will provide Rs 32 lakh to  Supplyco, a state-run agency, to procure the items for the kit which would be distributed through ration shops.

Of the 6,07,691 kits to be distributed, 5,87,691 will go to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders and the remaining 20,000 to residents of welfare institutions.

The kit will contain tea, whole and split varieties of green gram, semolina payasam mix, ghee, cashew nuts, coconut oil, sambar powder, chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, toor dal, powdered salt and a cloth bag,

There are four categories of ration cardholders in the state including Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders (yellow card), Priority Household cardholders (pink card), Non-Priority Subsidy cardholders (blue) and the Non-Priority Non-Subsidy card holders (white).

Onam: The Harvest Festival of Kerala

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated mainly by Malayalees around the world . The celebrations spread over 10 days mark the Malayalam New Year and conclude with Thiruvonam.  Thiruvonam is considered to be the most auspicious day of the Onam festival. It is believed that on this day , King Mahabali son of Verochana and grandson of Prahlad returns from  the patal lok to visit Kerala. 

The festival is held in the Chingam month of the Malayalam calendar,which falls between August-September month of the Gregorian calendar.

During Onam temples are  decorated with flowers ,people decorate their houses with 'Rangoli' and engage themselves in activities like boat races, flower arrangements and tug of war among others.

Pulikali (puli means leopard and kali means play) is a dance performed by men adorning the costume of leopard. It is performed in different parts of Kerala during the festival of Onam.

Other Important Festivals of Kerala 

Vishu 

It is the second most important festival of Kerala after Onam.It comes on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (April), which is also the Spring Equinox. During the Spring equinox the sun is on the equator and the duration of day and night are equal . Though scientifically speaking  the spring equinox falls on 20 or 21 March of a year .

On the day of Vishu, seeing the Vishukanni (offerings placed in prayer rooms at homes and and in front of deities in temples) as the first thing in the morning is believed to be the harbinger of the year’s prosperity and good luck. 

Apart from Kerala, the festival is celebrated in the neighboring regions like Mangalore, Tulunadu and Udupi. Vishu is also called the festival of fireworks and light as the celebration includes bursting of firecrackers. It is said that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on the day of Vishu.

Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram is held at Vadakkumnathan temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Thrissur. The festival is held in the Malayalam month of Medam (usually in April). It is one of the biggest temple festivals in Kerala.  Pooram means an annual festival celebrated on the day when the moon is seen with a star called Pooram.

Parumala Perunnal

The Parumala Perunnal festival is a highly significant celebration in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its cultural fabric that brings people of all communities and religions together to observe special days. Kerala is renowned for its rich tradition of celebrations.

• Every year, on November 2nd, the festival of Parumala Perunnal is celebrated in Kerala.

History of Parumala Perunnal

• It is believed that the great saint Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius once traveled to Parumala, a small village by the banks of the Pampa River in Kerala. He was born in Kunnamkulam and was highly respected for his wisdom and charisma. 
• In order to contribute to the good of the people, Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius planned on building a seminary in the region. 
• He was granted two acres of land by Arikupurathu Mathen Karnavar, and a building called Azhippura was constructed in the area for housing Syriac language instruction. 
• In 1902, Malankara Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius passed away at the age of 54, and his death anniversary is now commemorated as Parumala Perunnal.
• Unlike other festivals celebrated in the state, Parumala Perunnal focuses solely on devotion, not on the cultural aspect of it. People from all communities and religions visit the town during this time to observe the day together. This also serves as a way of contributing to the social fabric of the state, denoting peace and unity.

Some popular festivals in Kerala include Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Thiruvathira, Vishu, Theyyam Festival, Attukal Pongala, Christmas, Makaravilakku Festival, Arattu at Trivandrum, Aranmula Uthrattathi, Ambalapuzha Arattu and Adoor Gajamela.