📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Athulvis
Travel
Thiruvananthapuram dazzles as Kerala Tourism kicks off Onam celebrations
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 09:37 PM
👁 5
Kerala Tourism has illuminated Thiruvananthapuram to mark the start of the state's Onam festivities, lighting up major streets and public venues.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, was bathed in decorative lighting on Monday as Kerala Tourism officially opened the Onam season. The illumination covered prominent city arteries, government buildings and cultural hubs, creating a festive ambience for residents and visitors alike.
Organisers said the lighting scheme incorporates traditional motifs associated with Onam, aiming to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage while encouraging tourism during the holiday period. The event coincides with the first day of the ten‑day Onam festival, a time when families traditionally gather for feasts and cultural performances.
Tourism officials indicated that a series of cultural programmes, including folk dances and music concerts, will follow in the coming days across various venues in the city. The early celebrations are expected to draw both local crowds and tourists, boosting footfall in Thiruvananthapuram’s commercial districts.
The lighting display is part of Kerala’s broader strategy to promote the state as a year‑round destination, leveraging festive occasions to highlight its unique traditions and scenic attractions.
Organisers said the lighting scheme incorporates traditional motifs associated with Onam, aiming to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage while encouraging tourism during the holiday period. The event coincides with the first day of the ten‑day Onam festival, a time when families traditionally gather for feasts and cultural performances.
Tourism officials indicated that a series of cultural programmes, including folk dances and music concerts, will follow in the coming days across various venues in the city. The early celebrations are expected to draw both local crowds and tourists, boosting footfall in Thiruvananthapuram’s commercial districts.
The lighting display is part of Kerala’s broader strategy to promote the state as a year‑round destination, leveraging festive occasions to highlight its unique traditions and scenic attractions.