ONAM FESTIVAL
Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi drive coconut prices to new highs
Across South India, coconut prices have surged from Rs 15-25 to Rs 80-100 due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, climate change impacts, and pest infestations. Neglect of plantations and reduced yields have exacerbated the shortage, impacting copra, oil, and fresh nut availability. Despite being the largest producer, India faces a global crisis affecting prices and supply.
Bank holiday today for Onam: Are banks open or closed today in your state for this festival? Check now
Bank Holidays Today: Onam, a harvest festival celebrated by the people of Kerala. Banks across various states will also be closed in September for Karma Puja, Id-E-Milad, and Durga Puja. Digital banking services will remain available, though some services require in-person visits.
Car sales stay in slow lane for 4th straight month
Passenger vehicle sales in India experienced a fourth consecutive month of decline in August, dropping 7% to 330,000 units as carmakers strategically adjusted dispatches in anticipation of revised GST rates. The GST Council is expected to discuss lowering the levy on small cars, potentially boosting sales.
School holiday September 1: Educational institutes in these states to remain closed on Monday amid heavy rains, Onam
Heavy rainfall continues to lash several states across India. The IMD has issued weather alerts for many states. Schools will remain closed in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab on Septemeber 1. Meanwhile, schools in Kerala will remain closed for Onam until September 7.
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When Travancore queen gifted 'Onakkodi' to European Diwan two centuries ago
As Onam approaches, Kerala is abuzz with the tradition of gifting 'Onakkodi,' new clothes, a practice dating back centuries. Historical records reveal that Queen Gouri Lakshmi Bai of Travancore gifted 'Onakkodi' to a British Resident, Colonel John Munro, as a 'prasadam' from Lord Sree Padmanabha.
September festivals: From Ganesh Visarjan to Onam, check full list
Mark your calendars for September 2025. A lunar eclipse will coincide with Bhadrapada Purnima, visible in India. The month is packed with significant observances. Jivitputrika Vrat and Anant Chaturdashi are among the highlights. Parivartini Ekadashi and Onam will also be celebrated. Get ready for a spiritually rich September with many festivals and vrats.
Bank holidays in September 2025: Check when banks are closed in September, 2025; State wise list
Bank Holidays 2025 List: In September 2025, banks across India will observe closures for various festivals and regional holidays, including Karma Puja, Onam, Id-e-Milad, and Durga Puja. The holidays will vary from state to state, and customers are advised to check the specific holiday list for their region. Additionally, banks will remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Kerala hikes Onam bonus, allowances for 13 lakh employees, pensioners
Kerala government increased Onam bonuses and allowances. Over 13 lakh state employees, teachers, and pensioners will benefit. The bonus for employees and teachers increased to Rs 4,500. Those not covered will receive Rs 3,000. Service pensioners will get Rs 1,250. Government staff will receive an Onam advance of Rs 20,000. Part-time workers will get Rs 6,000.
Ganapati & Onam festivals: Central govt employees in these states to receive salary in advance; check dates
The central government will disburse August 2025 salaries, wages, and pensions early for its employees and pensioners in Maharashtra and Kerala. Maharashtra employees will receive their payments on August 26, 2025, ahead of Ganapati, while Kerala employees will receive theirs on August 25, 2025, before Onam. These payments are considered advances, subject to adjustment in subsequent salary cycles.
Are schools closed on August 27 - Ganesh Chaturthi? Check states with holidays
Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27, 2025, will close schools in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Telangana, allowing participation in pujas and processions. While Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami were observed, Onam coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi in Kerala, causing additional closures. Students should check for announcements regarding schedules and makeup classes.
July auto sales in neutral, companies hope for festive acceleration
As many as 340,772 cars, sedans, and utility vehicles were dispatched from factories to dealerships last month, marginally lower than 341,510 vehicles in July 2024, showed data released by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Thursday.
Passenger vehicle dispatches dip marginally in July on muted demand
In July 2025, passenger vehicle wholesales experienced a slight dip, totaling 3,41,510 units, as reported by SIAM. Despite this, the two-wheeler segment saw a robust 9% increase, driven by a surge in scooter sales which rose by 16%. The industry anticipates a demand upswing with the onset of the festive season, remaining cautiously optimistic for the coming months.
Kerala's culinary identity in crisis as major coconut crunch throws cooking out of gear
When thieves start forming organised gangs to steal coconuts from trees, you know something has gone wrong with the commodity market. In Kerala, a coconut that once cost Rs 25 now commands Rs 77— an over 200% price jump that has turned the state’s most essential ingredient into an object of desire, desperation and even crime.
Nearly 45,000 lottery agents and sellers to get Onam festival allowance
The Kerala government granted Rs 24.04 crore to provide festival allowance to the state lottery agents and sellers, with each member of the Kerala State Lottery Agents and Sellers Welfare Fund Board receiving Rs 6,000 and pensioners of the Board receiving Rs 2,000. About 38,000 active members and 6,223 pensioners will benefit from the announcement.
Kerala jewellers expect gold sales to go up by 25-30 per cent
Jewellers from the south Indian state of Kerala are expecting gold sales to go up by 25% -30% during the upcoming Onam and marriage season.
CPM promises pesticide-free vegetables in Kerala this Onam
CPM has decided to intervene in the vegetable market by opening 1,000 stalls across the state to sell organic vegetables during Onam festival this week.
Kerala government sanctions Rs 100 crore to control price rise
It decided to distribute Onam kits containing food articles free of cost to 20 lakh BPL families and also one kg sugar at a subsidised rate.
Kerala cabinet clears pension arrears of Rs 700 crore
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it has been decided to pay all social welfare pensions with pending arrears before Onam festival.
Parliament holiday tomorrow for Onam
Parliament will have a holiday tomorrow on account of Onam festival. Speaker Meira Kumar announced that there would be no sitting tomorrow on account of Onam.
Onam Kit to be provided to migrant workers by Kerala government
In a bid to reach out to Northeasterners and reassure them of their safety, Kerala government today decided to give free of cost 'Onam festival Kits' containing food provisions to migrant workers.
Samsung eyes 60 per cent market share in smart TVs
Samsung India has set a target of 35 % market share in FPTV category and 60 % market share in the smart TV segment in India by the end of 2012.
Whirlpool of India announces launch of an innovative range of built-in kitchen appliances
The focus of the company this year is on innovation, said Shantanu Das Gupta, vice president, Corporate Affairs & Strategy, Whirlpool of India.
Preethi Kitchen Appliances launches three new products for the Onam festival season
Riding high on its success in the state, Preethi Kitchen Appliances Pvt Ltd has launched three new products for the Onam festival season.
LG Electronics India aims Rs 16,000 crore sales turnover in 2012
LG Electronics India said it is targetting a sales turnover of Rs 350 cr from Kerala during the Onam festival season and Rs 16,000 cr pan-India during 2012.
Retail sale of gold jewellery to see 10-15% growth in India: World Gold Council
In spite of skyrocketing prices, retail sale of gold jewellery is expected to see a 10-15 per cent growth this year in India during the festival season.
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