Uthrada Paachil vibes in Kerala; State all set to welcome Thiruvonam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the grandest day of the Onam festival, people are on a frantic last-minute shopping spree popularly known as Uthrada Paachil. People are flooding grocery shops to buy food items required to prepare the grand sadhya during Thiruvonam. The rain in some districts has affected the traders. Since the rain warning is in place, fear persists regarding a possible downpour on Thiruvonam day, which may dampen spirits a little.

The number of people coming to hotels and bakeries to buy payasam has doubled. Demand for banana leaves for sadya has gone through the roof. The price of a Thooshanila (tapered plantain) ranges from five to ten rupees. The price is determined according to the size of the leaf. In addition to all this, Onam celebrations, cultural conferences and various competitions led by various cultural organisations and associations have been going on in the state for days.

The prices of flowers and vegetables have tripled in a week. The roads are so congested that even pedestrians find it difficult to navigate. From small markets to malls and supermarkets in the cities, people are thronging everywhere in a last-minute rush to welcome the grand day of Thiruvonam.