Wednesday 03 / September / 2025
Muscat: Expatriates from Kerala, one of the largest Indian communities in Oman, are preparing to celebrate their harvest festival, Onam, which falls on Friday.
Onam, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, during whose reign Kerala is said to have witnessed a golden era. The festival is observed by all members of the community, regardless of religion.
A private firm, TECS celebrated Onam with its employees in a grand and festive manner, emphasising unity and harmony within the organisation.
Managing Director, Mustafa Bakir along with management leads including Shibu Mathew, Venugopal, Lakshminarian Giri, and Ali Asgar Khericha along with Ashuma actively participated in the celebrations.
The event was meticulously organised, beginning with a warm welcome speech, followed by traditional Onam festivities such as the traditional welcoming of king Mahabali, songs, and a lively group song, Onam feast in banana leaves served to over 180 employees, which added to the joyful atmosphere, truly capturing the spirit of Onam.
Departmental stores and hypermarkets across Muscat are bustling with last-minute shoppers, while restaurants, jewellery shops, and other outlets catering to the Indian community have rolled out Onam offers and promotions.
“The shopping malls are all crowded as people make their last-minute purchases and throng the hypermarkets,” said Madhu B Nambiar, a long-time resident of Oman.
Expatriates adorn traditional attire during the festival, including kasavu sarees and mundu (dhoti), while family members and friends exchange gifts such as new clothes. Unique festive dishes are prepared at home and shared with neighbours, with the highlight being Onasadya, a special vegetarian feast.
The 10-day Onam celebrations in Kerala begin with Atham and honour both King Mahabali and the Vamana avatar. Communities recreate the golden-era joy with flower carpets (pookalam), traditional dances, and games. Women in traditional saris assemble to make floral carpets and sing songs in celebration.
This year, Thiruonam coincides with Friday, already a public holiday in Oman, allowing Malayalis to celebrate without work interruptions.
“We managed to pick up most of the vegetables, though bananas and banana leaves are best bought the day before. We stocked up on jaggery, condensed milk, ghee, cashews, and raisins — all essentials for payasam,” said Mustafa Bekir.
While Onam in Muscat may look slightly different, the spirit remains alive in every home attempting to recreate the aromas of a Kerala kitchen, in every child learning to lay flowers, and in every shared laugh over payasam.
