Lucknow: Malayali households across the city lit up with festive cheer on Onam as families decorated their homes with fresh flowers, lit scented candles and prepared elaborate meals.The aroma of Onam sadya, Kerala’s traditional feast, wafted through homes throughout the day. Women dressed in elegant kasavu and mundu sarees, while men donned kurtas and traditional lungis to celebrate the occasion.Observed to welcome the legendary King Mahabali, Onam commemorates the benevolent ruler who, according to popular belief, returns to Kerala every year to meet his people. The festival also marks the harvest season and symbolises prosperity, abundance and community bonding.At RDSO Colony, Malayali professor Tapeshwar Nair, who has been living in Lucknow for the past 22 years, celebrated the festival with family and friends.His wife, Sreelakshmi, adorned their home with fresh flowers and nilavilakku (traditional brass lamps). Fresh banana leaves were placed at the entrance, lending the house a festive and traditional look.She prepared a variety of dishes for the sadya, including payasam, elissery, pulissery, inji puli, sambar and avial. The food was first offered to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu before the family sat down together for the festive meal.Malayali consultant Padmaja celebrated Onam with friends and decorated her home with Kathakali masks.“Onam is a secular festival of Kerala celebrated on a grand scale. It symbolises prosperity and togetherness,” she said.In several homes across the city, children dressed as King Mahabali made cheerful royal entrances, drawing warm greetings of “Onam Ashamsakal” from family members and guests.Gomtinagar resident Aparna Panicker hosted Hindu, Muslim, Punjabi and Kashmiri friends for lunch, turning the celebration into a vibrant gathering of cultures.Jenson James, president of Kerala Samajam, Lucknow, said Onam continues to be cherished for its harvest celebrations and the symbolic return of Mahabali, making it an occasion for family reunions and community gatherings. He added that festivities in Kerala also feature the colourful Kaikottikali dance and traditional boat races.
