Taking off with festival offer

INDIAN expats will be able to pack up their bags and take home extra gifts for their families on Oman Air if they are planning a trip back to Kerala to participate in one of the state’s most significant celebrations.

Onam is one of the most popular festivals celebrated all over South India. This year it will be celebrated on September 7.

Eric Almeida, sales executive, Oman Air, told TravelWeekly: “The normal allowance is 30kg. We have increased it by 15kg on the morning flight connections WY658 to selective sectors travelling during the month of September,
“Due to the famous festival in Kerala called Onam we intend to appreciate our passengers in offering them a saving with an increase of 15kg free baggage allowance for their loved ones.

“We have also increased the free baggage to other sectors in Pakistan and India on WY656/664/654 offering 10kg free baggage allowance from the normal allowance of 30kg.”

This offer is valid throughout September.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first one of the Malayalam calendar.

There are actually four days of Onam and the most important, known as Thiru Onam, is the second day. Festivities actually commence around 10 days before this day on Atham, with the preparation of floral arrangements (pookalam) on the ground in front of homes.

It is a state-wide festival with a Hindu mythological background. It is also the state festival of Kerala with holidays on four days. The festival marks the commemoration of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of mythical King Mahabali.

Onam is reminiscent of Kerala’s agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival.