New Delhi: Onam, one of the biggest and most important festivals of the residents of Kerala, is being celebrated in the state on August 29, 2023. Kerala Schools, Colleges and Banks will remain shut not just today but also for the coming days. Schools, colleges ad banks are having a long weekend because of Raksha Bandhan, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti and Pang Lhabsol. However, there are some banks that will remain open on August 31, 2023. The State-level celebrations for Onam at he Nishagandhi open air auditorium were inaugurated by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on August 27. Many folk art performances, fusion music concerts and other events are being celebrated across many venues.
Onam 2023: Bank Holidays In Kerala
According to the official Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Bank Holidays 2023 List, banks were closed on August 28 and will remain shut on August 29, 30 and August 31, 2023 for Raksha Bandhan, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi, Pang-Lhabsol. As mentioned earlier, some banks may open on August 31. According to RBI, these holidays are given under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Kerala Schools And Colleges Holidays For Onam 2023
The festivities for Onam 2023 last for 10 days, however, schools do not remain shut for all days of festivities. Schools and colleges in Kerala are closed from August 28 to August 31 for Onam and August 31 is a holiday for Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti. There are some schools that are closed till September 3, 2023. Students in Kerala are advised to confirm the holiday dates with their respective schools and colleges.
About Onam 2023
The ten day long festival has begun on August 20 and will conclude on August 31 for this year. The Onam festivities, also known as Thiru-Onam or Thiruvonam, are celebrated to pay homage to the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The sequence begins with Atham, after which there is Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam. Thiruvonam is the last day of celebration and on this day, people enjoy Onasadya, the Onam feast.
This festival is celebrated with great pomp each year and it is no different this year too. According to the Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas, “”Onam is a distinctive festival that honors and promotes the values of inclusivity and togetherness and befittingly the central theme of the event this year is Onam, the symphony of harmony.” The Onam Celebrations at the district town square in Kannur, ‘Ponnonam 2023’ were inaugurated by Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer. It included a flash mob, folk songs, group dances, mohiniyattam and other such performances.