Malayalis in Chd mark Onam with festivities at Sree Ayyappa

Chandigarh: At the entrance of the Sree Ayyappa Temple in Chandigarh, pookalam, a floral carpet crafted with marigolds, roses and chrysanthemums, greets visitors. Inside, women dressed in cream and gold Onam sarees sit in straight lines on the temple floor, flowers adorning their hair. In the centre, four women share a single brass lamp. Lit with an oil and cotton wick, the lamp becomes the focus of their prayer as they gently place rose petals on the base.This is how the Malayali community of the Tricity celebrates Onam each year, together, away from their native Kerala, but rooted in tradition, to celebrate the return of King Mahabali to his kingdom and to mark the harvest season.Established in the 90s, the Sree Ayyappa Temple has long been a cultural and spiritual anchor for Malayalis in Chandigarh. Its main sanctum houses the idol of Lord Ayyappa, alongside Lord Ganapathi and Bhagavati. On Sunday, the temple held a special Laksharchana Pooja. Derived from the Sanskrit word Laksha meaning "one hundred thousand," devotees recited the holy names in chorus. While Onam concludes on the 10th day which is Thiruvonam, certain pujas are conducted at temples like Sabarimala to offer prayers to Lord Ayappa which mark the end of festivities. The day unfolded with chants and performances of Bharatanatyam and Thiruvathirakali, the graceful group dance by women forming circles around lamps. The celebrations reflected a seamless blend of prayer, art and food. Onam sadya, the grand vegetarian feast, prepared by community members, was served on banana leaves with dozens of Kerala dishes, avial, olan, thoran, payasam and more. While some ingredients are easily available in Chandigarh, others are sourced directly from Kerala. Orders are placed days in advance, and the essentials reach by train within three days. Preparations for the sadya begin a day earlier, with families volunteering their time in the temple kitchen. The act of cooking together becomes as significant as the meal itself.For many, the celebrations are a bridge between two worlds. Mani K Nair, an IT professional who moved to Chandigarh nine years ago, says, "Celebrating Onam here, we can't match the vibe and spirit of being with relatives back in Kerala. But here, the entire community comes together. To keep our culture alive and to ensure our children stay connected to their roots, we meet once a month and hold cultural events."For others, the temple and its celebrations have come to define their sense of belonging. Jaya, who has lived in the city for over 35 years due to her husband's job, reflects, "This place has become our home now. Our community here has become like an extended family, and celebrating together makes it special."Most Malayalis who came to Chandigarh decades ago did so for work opportunities. Over time, they built lives, raised families, and made the city their home. Yet, through events like Onam at the Sree Ayyappa Temple, they continue to hold on to their cultural heritage.What emerges is not just a festival, but a reaffirmation of identity. For a few days, the temple courtyard echoes with Malayalam songs, the aroma of Kerala spices fills the air, and children learn traditions that their parents once experienced thousands of kilometres away. In Chandigarh, Onam becomes more than a harvest festival. It is a story of adaptation and community, where flowers, food, prayer and performance weave together to keep memories of home alive.