Hindu Malayalees mark Onam and silver jubilee

TUSTIN, CA — The Organization of Hindu Malayalees (OHM) celebrated its silver jubilee, along with the ancient Keralite Onam festival and Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti, at the Tustin branch of the Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles (CMLA), Rameshwaram.

A festive atmosphere, the traditional Onam feast, a lighting ceremony, skits, song and dance capped by keynote speeches and votes of thanks by CMLA and OHM representatives heralded the daylong festivals attended by approximately 400 OHM members.

 

Signature trademarks of Onam were on display as guests trickled in and were welcomed with the traditional Pookalam or floral carpet designed in pattern with fragrant marigolds, rose and daisy petals.

 

The event kicked off with Onam Sadhya, a sumptuous vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, consisting of up to 21 delicacies such as rice, sambhar, aviyal, payassam, and plantains which were eaten without cutlery, a time-honored tradition. The Onam banquet, handmade by volunteers, marks the end of the festivities.

 

OHM and CMLA are sister organizations whose members follow Swamiji’s teachings for spiritual guidance and mentoring, according to Ravi Vellatheri, founding member and current director of public relations and fund raising for OHM.