ALAPPUZHA: The foreigners who visited Alappuzha during the last few days had a feel of Onam when they participated in the various programmes and the feasts arranged for them on Thiruvonam day at the resort where they stayed. They included Paulina Lefever from France, Eid Alamai Mutlaq from Saudi Arabia and Gene Wilkinson from London. Paulina Lefever was here as part of a month-long tour to India, and she knew nothing about Maveli till she experienced the festival fervour.
"This is my first visit to Kerala that has become memorable thanks to Onam and Malayalis," she said posing for a photo with Mahabali. "Now we know the legend about Mahabali and his sacrifice and that the festival is celebrated irrespective of caste and creed. The 'Onasadya' with 26 food items was delicious. I will come to Kerala every year to celebrate Onam," she said. Eid Alamai Mutlaq was also visiting Kerala for the first time and took part in Onam programmes, including tug of war, coconut climbing and singing songs.
"I participated in making floral carets, swinging and kidding with 'Pulikali,' which were thrilling experiences for me," said Mutlaq. Gene Wilkinson recalled the story of the mythical king Mahabali who reigned over his kingdom which is now Kerala. She also knows other details about Onam which falls in Chingam, (August-September as per the Gregorian calendar), the first month of the Malayalam calendar and which lasts for ten days. Mr Radhakrishnan Shenoy, general manager of Marari resorts, where the tourists stayed, said 25 foreigners participated in the celebrations. "Onam is not only for Malayalis but also for all the people. The real meaning of Onam is oneness," he said.
