Kozhikode: With each and everyone reaching out to help the flood-hit people, North Malabar’s own ‘Onapottan’ is no exception too. Onapottan or Oneshwaran, believed to be the representative of King Mahabali visited the households on Uthradam day and Thiruvonam day on Friday and Saturday respectively and this time besides giving blessing and accepting money and grains, there was a fervent request; please do your bit towards the flood-hit people.
In Vadakara, Thooneri, Nadapuram, Koyilandy, Perambra areas, ‘Onapottan’ is giving half of the amount they received from households towards the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. “Here, there is a collective of Malaya community called ‘Theyyam Kettiyaatta Sanghadana’ whose members usually don the role of an Onapottan. The organisation had decided to contribute half the money they received from the household visits plus their members’ collection towards the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund,” said Thooneri block panchayat member Manoj Aroor.
People had largely welcomed the demigod’s gesture at the moment of crisis. “That was very nice of them. The fact that the demigods are concerned about the crisis of the mundane world is a good sign. Their request will go down well among pious people,” felt Vasanti, K.P, a housemaker in Arikkulam near Koyilandy.
Children, who are the eagerly awaited ones for the Onapottan to arrive in rich costume and decorations, heartily welcomed the demigod’s advice. “Onapottan is the representative of King Mahabali and it is the King’s citizens who are in deep distress now. So, Onapottan is bound to make a request for them,” said Umesh C.K, who appeared as Onapottan two days back.
