Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Onam Shopping Rush Sweeps Kerala Despite Rain Forecast
People across Kerala are getting ready to celebrate Onam.
Many are visiting markets to buy vegetables, groceries, flowers, clothes, and other festival items.
They are preparing Onasadya, a large vegetarian meal with many dishes served on banana leaves.
Shops and malls are decorated with flowers and performances to attract visitors.
Artists dressed as King Mahabali are greeting shoppers.
Traditional foods such as different kinds of payasam are also being sold.
Prices for some vegetables and flowers have risen because many people want them.
Rain is expected in Kerala until Sunday, so it could affect some celebrations.
People are still excited to welcome the festival.
Markets across Kerala saw heavy crowds during the traditional “Uthrada Pachil” rush before Thiru Onam.
Families stocked up for Onasadya, a vegetarian feast featuring 20 to 30 dishes served on plantain leaves.
Rising demand pushed up vegetable and flower prices, while malls, retailers, and pavement vendors reported strong sales.
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organized a Payasam Mela in Thiruvananthapuram featuring several traditional desserts.
The India Meteorological Department forecast rain through Sunday and issued yellow alerts for nine Kerala districts.
- Who
- People, shoppers, vendors, retailers, performers, and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation are involved in the preparations.
- What
- Kerala is experiencing a major shopping and cultural rush ahead of Onam and Thiru Onam.
- When
- The shopping rush took place on Wednesday, before Thiru Onam; rain is forecast through Sunday.
- Where
- Across Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thrissur.
- Why
- People are preparing for Onam celebrations, especially the traditional Onasadya, while businesses are seeking festival customers.
- Festival
- Onam, including the main Thiru Onam celebration
- Shopping rush
- Known traditionally as “Uthrada Pachil,” occurring on the eve of Thiru Onam
- Onasadya
- A vegetarian feast with 20 to 30 dishes served on fresh green plantain leaves
- Traditional cloth
- Manjakodi, a yellow-dyed handloom cloth, sells for Rs 15 to Rs 30 per piece
- Dessert event
- The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organized a Payasam Mela in Thiruvananthapuram
- Weather forecast
- The India Meteorological Department forecast rain or thunderstorms across much of Kerala until Sunday
- Yellow-alert districts
- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad