PM Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind extend greetings on Onam

In a tweet this morning, PM Modi said, “Best wishes on the special occasion of Onam, a festival associated with positivity, vibrancy, brotherhood and harmony. I pray for everyone’s good health and wellbeing.”

Best wishes on the special occasion of Onam, a festival associated with positivity, vibrancy, brotherhood and harmony. I pray for everyone’s good health and wellbeing.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2021

Highlighting the tireless work of farmers and the celebration of the new harvest, President Ram Nath Kovind wished the country on Onam.

“Onam greetings to all our fellow citizens! This festival is a celebration of the new harvest. It highlights the tireless work of farmers. It is an occasion to express gratitude to mother nature. I wish progress and prosperity for all fellow citizens,” the president tweeted.

Onam greetings to all our fellow citizens! This festival is a celebration of the new harvest. It highlights the tireless work of farmers. It is an occasion to express gratitude to mother nature. I wish progress and prosperity for all fellow citizens.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 21, 2021

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the festival was to celebrate love, equality and prosperity. “May love and brotherhood blossom. May equality and prosperity prevail. Let us celebrate Onam by reciting the hymns of humanity,” Vijayan said.

സ്നേഹവും സാഹോദര്യവും പൂത്തുലയട്ടെ. സമത്വവും സമൃദ്ധിയും പുലരട്ടെ. മനുഷ്യത്വത്തിൻ്റെ ഗീതികകൾ ഏറ്റുപാടി നമുക്കീ ഓണം ആഘോഷിക്കാം. എല്ലാവർക്കും ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ ഓണാശംസകൾ! pic.twitter.com/oQzD7a0Wbe

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 21, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that Onam signifies peace and harmony. “On this auspicious festival, I extend my warm greetings to all our Malayalee sisters and brothers around the world. May the flavours of Sadya and the musical beats of Pulikali bring an abundance of joy and prosperity to all. Happy Onam!,” he said.

Onam signifies peace and harmony. On this auspicious festival, I extend my warm greetings to all our Malayalee sisters and brothers around the world. May the flavours of Sadya and the musical beats of Pulikali bring an abundance of joy and prosperity to all. Happy Onam!

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 21, 2021

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In a video message, Rahul Gandhi said Onam is a very important festival for everyone. “It’s a day of happiness, of joy, of introspection and I would like to thank you for allowing me to be part of it… I hope you all have a joyous and a wonderful day,” Gandhi said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, “May the spirit of Onam for an egalitarian society prevail. Wishing you all a very Happy Onam,”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor posted a video of him on a swing to celebrate Onam this year. “There’s an Onam swing tradition that one normally leaves to young girls. I was persuaded to get Into the spirit of things this year, ” he wrote.

There’s an Onam swing tradition that one normally leaves to young girls. I was persuaded to get Into the spirit of things this year. Happy Onam! pic.twitter.com/Z23nJ9Fmfp

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 21, 2021

Onam, a 10-day long festival that celebrates the return of King Mahabali as well as the Vaman avatar of Lord Vishnu, was celebrated from August 12 this year. But the actual three-day festival, which is widely celebrated in Kerala, will start with Thiruvonam on August 21.

As per the Malayalam calendar, Onam is celebrated on the day of Thiruvonam nakshatram (Shravana asterism) in the month of Chingam.

Grand feasts are prepared on this occasion which is known as ‘onasadya’. Celebrations also include traditional dance, music and games that are collectively called ‘Onakalikal’. All this is done to show King Mahabali that his people are prosperous and happy.