Thiruvananthapuram: Onam, traditionally known as the festival of flowers, has long been celebrated with vibrant floral displays. Historically, Keralites would gather a variety of flowers from their own gardens or from neighbors. However, in recent times, sourcing enough local flowers has become increasingly difficult, leading to a reliance on flowers imported from neighboring states.
This year, the Onam festivities in Kerala will notably lack a traditional favorite: the ‘arali’ or oleander flower, which is typically sourced from Tamil Nadu. This change comes in response to recent health concerns following reports of a woman’s death allegedly caused by ingesting oleander leaves and similar incidents involving animals. As a result, the demand for oleander flowers has plummeted.
The health risks associated with oleander have led various Devaswom Boards to ban its use in religious offerings and other contexts. Many temples have followed suit, leading to a significant reduction in its supply from Tamil Nadu, a primary source of these flowers. Pandian, a flower wholesaler from Sankarankovil in Tamil Nadu, reported that there have been no pre-orders for oleander flowers for this year’s Onam. In contrast, previous years saw orders of up to 6,000 kilos for the festival’s first day, Uthradam.
Oleander flowers, which come in shades of pink, red, pale yellow, and white, were once a staple of the Onam athapookalam, the traditional floral arrangements on the floor. Their long shelf life made them popular among vendors. K. Ajitha, owner of Peringara Vinayaka Flower Stores in Pathanamthitta, observed that while 100 kg of oleander was sold last Uthradam, not a single kilo has been requested this year. Additionally, oleander’s use in traditional funeral services and pujas has also been discontinued due to safety concerns. The current wholesale price of oleander flowers from Tamil Nadu stands at Rs 280.
