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Highland Indian Association celebrate Onam in North Kessock





Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.
Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.

The Highland Indian Association (HAI) recently gathered together for Onam celebrations.

More than 180 people took part in the annual festival at North Kessock Village Hall on September 8.

Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.
Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.

The celebration included, Athapoo (flower arrangements), cultural dance performances, games and fun activities and finished with tug of war.

Traditional feasting was at the heart of the celebration, with over 30 dishes.

What is Onam?

Onam is an annual Hindu festival, which usually falls between August – September, and is celebrated for ten days.

In India’s southern state of Kerala, Onam is considered the state festival. It commemorates New Year’s Day and is also recognized as a harvest festival.

Highland Indian Association’s president, Rajkumar Dhanaraj said: “The story of Kerala’s popular harvest festival has several layers riddled with conflict and contradictions.

Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.
Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.

“Each of these strands can take you down rabbit holes that offer a heady cocktail of myth, fantasy, history, ideologies, identities and even realpolitik.

Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.
Highland Indian Association's Onam celebrations.

“The most famous legend associated with Onam is the return of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali or known as Maveli to visit his people every year.”


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