MUSCAT: Expatriates from the South Indian state of Kerala, one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in Oman, are fully geared up to celebrate their harvest festival, Onam which falls on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

From supermarkets and shopping centres, to restaurants and jewellery shops, hundreds of commercial outlets in the country, have come up with various Onam offers and plans.

With Oman declaring a public holiday due to Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) birthday, Keralites are preparing to celebrate Onam with their loved ones. “There is no joy than getting a holiday on the day of Onam. Unlike previous years, this is for the first time we are getting a public holiday on Onam day and it gives us time to celebrate with our family at home,” said Robin Sebastian, Director of Mesdac Solutions, a digital agency based in Muscat.

Onam is celebrated to mark the mythical homecoming of King Mahabali, during whose reign the state known as ‘God’s Own Country’ is said to have witnessed the golden era.

Malayalis wear new, traditional outfits and jewellery and also prepare the sumptuous Onasadhya, the grand feast that forms the most important part of the celebration. Served on banana leaves, a typical Onasadhya will include more than a dozen items along with rice. “Usually during the previous years, we used to take unpaid leave from work, to celebrate Onam because to prepare Sadhya is a herculean task now we have time for it,” said Rajesh Mohan, a resident in Muscat.