S.M. Street was chock-a-block with shoppers on Thursday, the Thiruvonam eve. Shops were teeming with people out to make eleventh hour purchase on Uthradam day.
Mavoor Road, Stadium Junction, Mananchira, and especially the market area in Palayam, witnessed huge traffic blocks. Vehicles queued up to grab slots at the few parking areas in the city. Many were seen driving long distances just to find a parking space. The police had a tough time controlling the vehicles.
There was heavy rush in the Palayam market where people purchased goods for Friday's Ona Sadya. Despite the high prices of commodities, Onam is one season when Keralites are ready to loosen their purse strings. A lot of flower shops, both big and small, have been set up along the M.M. Ali Road. Here, flowers from Karnataka are on sale at high prices.
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Onam celebrations were held in many offices on Thursday as Friday is a holiday for most. Most offices sported elaborate floral carpets. Women wore traditional Kerala sarees while men were clad in dhothies. Foreigners were heard wondering “why so many women are wearing similar dresses.” Cinema halls too were jam-packed as new films were released on Thursday.