UAE: A Grand celebration of Onam was held at the India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi here on September 11.
Onam has gone global with many Western expats attending the traditional South Indian festival with Onam Sadhya on the special occasion.
The harvest festival is celebrated for 10 days starting from Atham to Thiruvonam, that falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam.
Onam is a grand affair at ISC every year where more than 3,000 people are fed, the ‘Sadhya’ consists of 27 dishes including two types of payasam. Onam Sadhya is very different from the Indian spicy food.
Adding to the fanfare are entertainment activities including Onam parade, decoration of flower carpets etc at ISC Mail Hall.
Mangalorean Karnataka Group won 1st prize for Flower Carpet (Pookalam) design competition 2015 ISC Onam.
Ambassador of India to UAE T P Seetharam, VIPs, Dignitaries and Business community from UAE arrived to the hall in a procession with group of children holding flower filled brass plates with Deepa (Oil Lamp) escorted to the hall led by Mahabali.
Each year more western expatriates are being drawn to this south Indian festival celebrated in honour of the annual home coming of mythical King Mahabali who is said to have ruled Kerala.
The Programme started at the main hall with “Onam Sadhya” being served to all the attendees. This year More than 4000 people with their family enjoyed the festival. All had gathered in their traditional Onam costume. Melodious music called Chande (Drum) beats were played in the background and enjoyed by all.