Kerala's Onam Festival Highlights Sustainable Fair in Maradu

Onam, Kerala's ten‑day harvest festival honoring the mythical King Mahabali, runs each August‑September. The celebrations begin with Atham and culminate on Thiruvonam, featuring traditional feasts, floral carpets (pookalam) and cultural performances.

In Maradu, the community space Local Sustainable Living has organized a month‑long sustainable Onam fair that runs until August 31. Founded by Noufal Mehboob and Mujeeb Abdul, the event showcases locally made food, crafts, clothing and gifts, with every product created by the vendor exhibiting it. The fair includes music, games, workshops and up‑cycling sessions, and welcomes makers from Kerala and other Indian states such as Tamil Nadu.

The initiative aims to give small‑scale creators a longer platform to reach customers, promote environmentally friendly practices, and extend the festive spirit beyond a weekend market.