Kerala   

A day for family reunion

Onam celebration never stops. The festivities devoted to the mythical Asura king Mahabali who once ruled Kerala usually begin with the starting of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar.

Old timers say “Atham pathinnu ponnonam” (Tenth day after Atham starts). But this time Thiruonam fell on the eleventh of Chingam (August 27) since Atham was on August 17.

But the celebrations never cease. It continues on third Onam, Avittam, which comes after Thiruonam day. However, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi was observed on Avittam. (Tuesday) although Chathayam the birth star of the social reformer is actually on Wednesday.

Avittam has great significance just as Boxing Day, the next day after Christmas, which is celebrated in United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries with presenting of gifts and organising games and sports. Family get-togethers are usually organised on Avittam. It is also an occasion to present gifts to elders. Even though the genesis of Onam is rooted in Hindu religion, members of other communities celebrate it with fervour considering it as a State festival. Tuesday saw many Muslim families in Kozhikode organising such gatherings in the afternoon.

Biju Govind

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Steep increase in fares to the Gulf
Promoting pottery as a vocation
A walk down memory lane
Monkeys get a taste of Onasadya
Lull after brisk business
The customer is king
Peoplespeak
Exploring a different intimacy
Carnatic recital by girl in ‘hejab’
A day for family reunion
Onam in name only?
Kendriya Vidyalaya student wins top prize
VS delaying decision: Chandy
MVR alleges bid to rig Pariyaram poll
Increase in fares to the Gulf
Rare gesture
Battling it out
Show of strength
Sanctioned by tradition
Celebrating life
Today at Sabarimala
Centre urged to publish White Paper
Study camp on Haj to begin today
Clarion call
Bond of brotherhood
Samastha says ‘no’ to reforms that negate values
In line with tradition
Mesmerising lights
In keeping with tradition

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu