. "Delicacies like aviyal, sambhar, payasam,. Many in the camps, sang Onam pattu (songs), laid out flower carpets and prepared sadya (feast) in an effort to bring some joy into their lives mauled by the unprecedented rains and floods, the worst the state has faced in a century. Women were busy cutting vegetables and men unhesitatingly pitched in to help, to prepare the feast in many camps. Onam commemorates the return of mythical demon king Mahabali to see his beloved subjects at the beginning of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar. In Chengannur, a relief camp inmate said the Onam festivity may be a low key affair this time, but we will overcome and definitely celebrate next year in our homes. Floral carpets were also laid at the camps to Wholesale PU anti-fatigue mat soothe the worried minds of flood-hit people. The devastating deluge, which has so far claimed 265 lives, has taken the sheen out of the states most awaited harvest festival, Thiru Onam, which falls today.

The floods have brought people of all religions together," he said. Bakrid was celebrated here last week and in the same spirit, Onam was being observed today and the feast was prepared by the people in the camp. Girls prepare flower carpet (Onappookkalam) on Onam in Kannur. Young Nandana, who returned to her home from a camp in Kochi, is busy drying her textbooks and notes as the sun came out this morning. A vendor selling Thrikkakara Appan, the most important of Onam celebration at Kochi. In the Aluva UC College camp, children and Muslim women joined in making the pookalam. Pulikali (Tiger Dance), which is held in Thrissur with artisans donning tiger masks and dancing to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments on August 28, has also been cancelled. The usual celebrations like laying floral carpets and preparing feasts were comparatively subdued in urban areas also.Thiruvananthapuram: The 82-year-old Kumari just stared on as other inmates tried to lay a floral carpet on the courtyard of a flood relief camp in Alappuzha district. all have been prepared," the mosque committee official said. Onam is celebrated with great pomp across the state, but this time around festivities are the last thing on peoples minds as they come to grips with the devastation. "Today is Thiru Onam, but we are in this relief camp.. This is in true sense religious harmony. The state government has also cancelled Onam celebrations.    But, Onam feast was prepared in schools, colleges, convention halls, mosques and churches which are serving as relief camps in various districts. "There is no pookalam due to floods," she said. (Photo: PTI)In the famous Thrikakkara temple at Kochi, dedicated to Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the usual Onam sadya was not held this year. The Kerala Tourisms decision to organise Champions Boat League on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL) from this year starting with Nehru Trophy boat race also took a beating due to the flooding. The doors of the mosque were opened to accommodate people of all religions on August 18, a mosque committee official said." Kumari is among the over 8 lakh people who were displaced by the deadly floods and are now living inthousands of relief camps across the state after losing the savings of their lifetime. "

As we saw several houses destroyed, people being displaced, we opened our hall used for offering namaz (prayers). (Photo: PTI)In worst-hit Alappuzha district, Onam was celebrated at a mosque, which has been turned into a relief camp."I had never ever imagined that we would not celebrate another Onam at that house in the same way," says the homemaker, overcome with memories from last years celebrations with her family. Unprecedented rains and floods have flattened our home.