Onam Festivities Enter Final Lap as Keralam Rushes Into Uthradam Shopping

Thiruvananthapuram: The Onam celebrations that began on Atham with cheers and floral carpets are entering their final stretch. On Tuesday, towns and cities across Keralam were gripped by the rush of Uthradam shopping, as Malayalis made their last-minute preparations to welcome Thiruvonam on Wednesday. The Uthradam rush has begun in most places, including major cities.

This year's rush to buy ingredients for the Onam feast, materials for 'pookalam's and other essentials comes amid the burden of steep price hikes. Preceding the Onam, prices of essential commodities have soared. The cost of not only ingredients for the feast but also serving items such as banana leaves has risen sharply. With coconut oil and plantains becoming particularly expensive, demand for upperi has declined in some places. Despite the high prices, people are rushing to buy provisions, determined to celebrate Onam even if it means spending beyond their means.

Essential commodities are costing nearly twice as much as they did last year. Prices of groceries and vegetables have surged. The prices of rice, vegetables, sugar, coconut oil and other essentials have been increasing almost every day. Prices have risen sharply across the board this year. The government has failed to contain inflation and intervene effectively in the market.

There are also concerns that the weather could play spoilsport, with yellow alerts issued in several districts for the coming days. Widespread rain was reported in several places from Monday morning. Despite intermittent showers, Malayalis are making preparations to celebrate Onam in grand fashion. People are arriving to make their final purchases between celebrations organised at workplaces and in their local communities.

The flower market has also become active with people buying flowers to welcome Maveli home and decorate pookalams on Uthradam. Most institutions had organised pookalam competitions, resulting in good business for flower sellers over the past few days. Flowers brought in from outside Keralam have dominated the market. Street-side vendors have also been doing brisk business.

Markets are also buzzing with new trends. Onam special markets have been set up across all districts as part of the celebrations. Such small markets offer a range of products at lower prices. Showrooms, meanwhile, have rolled out major discounts as part of their Onam sales. Clothes, grocery products, sweets, fruits, footwear and household appliances are among the items being offered at discounted prices.