Thiruvananthapuram: Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the festival of Onam is being celebrated in Kerala as usual. The big events on the occasion of this festival are absent this time, as most people are celebrating by staying in their homes. The festival of Onam is celebrated in the memory of the ruler of Kerala and Maharaja Mahabali. The houses are decorated with flowers following the Covid-19 rules. However, traditional art displays and games are not being organized in villages and towns on this occasion.
Covid-19 also has an impact on the Atham festival celebrated at the beginning of the ten-day Onam festival. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, and Chief Minister P Vijaya congratulated the people on the occasion. While congratulating this festival, Vijayan said that Onam is a festival of hope. He has asked people to celebrate the festival of Onam keeping in view the applicable guidelines for the prevention of Covid-19. Onam festival was fading in many parts of the state due to floods in the year 2018 and 2019.
