Expatriates from Kerala celebrated the Onam harvest festival yesterday. Restaurants and catering outlets witnessed a big rush for dine-in and takeaway of the traditional vegetarian Onam lunch, served on a banana leaf. Some restaurants reported supplying close to 1,000 takeaway packets and hundreds dining in. Some associations of Keralites organised mass feasts at a number of locations. A large number of families also got together to prepare and enjoy the Onam lunch and make floral carpets. According to popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. In Kerala, Onam celebrations last from four to 10 days, featuring elaborate feasts, folk songs, dances and games. Gulf Times

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