Onam Celebrations in Thiruvanthapuram City

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala once again tries to get into the mood of celebration, this onam season.

Apparently dampened by fever-attacks that stuck several people down, the celebrations in this city have not really taken off, when compared to the spirits of previous years.
Last evening I wandered into Nishagandhi, the main venue for celebrations – where amusement of various kinds and hundreds of merchant stalls are the order of the day.




The ten-day holiday is still away and the carnival grounds didn't start buzzing with the cheers of children. Maybe in the coming days the giant wheel and go-merry-rounds receive the visitors.

Poised take advantage of the spending habits of Kerala people, there were quite a few merchant stalls up and running.

From sweets and food items to finance and investment products, the stalls offer a little variety.

Probably after seeing me wearing spectacles, the guys at the stall of Vasan Eye Care Hospital invited me to take a free sight test, after which they suggested a Zyoiptix laser procedure for refractive corrections. Maybe, I take the treatment, because I want to throw my spectacles away.

There are also a number of stalls for financial and investment products –SBI Life insurance, 5Paisa.com, among several others. A Rat Vanish product that chases rat away, and the one stall by women self help group that sold extremely cheap studded ornaments, a few eatery stalls, and the list is almost complete.

Have you heard about Aranmula mirror made from a metal? Well, there was one stall for Aranmula Kannadi. They sell the mirrors for prices Rs.900.00, Rs.1300.00 & Rs.2300.00. There are however only very limited number of mirrors available. Kerala Mirror is the website of the guys who have set up stalls here.

At the VJT Hall, Thiruvananthapuram is somewhat better trade activity, with shawls, idols, curios, artworks, etc on display.