By Jaeden Demelo

Onam Festival

PGRKCA host Onam Festival for Malayali community in Prince George

Sep 14, 2024 | 5:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— Onam is the biggest and most important festival of the Indian state of Kerala. On Saturday, the Prince George Regional Kerala Cultural Association (PGRKCA) hosted the festival at First Baptist Church.

The event gathered around 400 people from the Malayali community in Prince George and beyond.

“It’s a joyous moment to everyone. People will come for this event no matter what,” said James Paliyath the President of the PGRKCA on Saturday.

The festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. The story goes that during the reign of King Mahabali, Kerala witnessed it’s golden era. Every body in the state was happy, prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects.

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Once Mahabali’s reign was over, God granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people. People make efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their King that they are happy and wish him well.

The Carnival of Onam traditionally lasts from four to ten days. Throughout the duration of the celebration are elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers.

At First Baptist Church on Saturday, there were traditional dances and songs, a feast called Onasadya, along with other joyful festivities to celebrate the spirit of Onam.

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Email: jaeden.demelo@pattisonmedia.com