Keralam Onam: Rain, early buying subdue Thiruvonam eve shopping rush in Kochi

Uthrada Pachil — the last‑minute shopping rush on Uthradam day, the eve of Thiruvonam — has been somewhat subdued in Kochi city, Kerala, on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), due to heavy rain since the previous evening and advance purchases by customers keen to avoid last‑minute scrambling and potential price hikes.

In Ernakulam market, business slowed to the extent that traders cut down orders for vegetables from suppliers in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, who largely cater to Onam demand here. Prices of several vegetables dropped compared to the previous day. Bitter gourd fell from ₹95 a kilogram on Monday to ₹65, snake bean from ₹70 to ₹50, and lady’s finger from ₹75 to ₹50.

Hundreds turned up for last-minute Onam shopping at Broadway in Kochi on Uthradam day (August 25).
| Photo Credit:
H. Vibhu

“The business was reasonably good for most of the Onam season, and prices remained largely stable except on Monday when many organisations hit the market to distribute Onam kits, driving up rates. But prices dropped again on Tuesday. Rain has also played havoc with last‑minute business, while most customers seem to have completed their purchases in advance, fearing a price rise,” said K.K. Ashraf, secretary of the Ernakulam Market Stall Owners Association.

Rain also dampened sales in Broadway, the city’s commercial hub. P.A. Sageer, president of the Broadway Shop Owners Association, said business was brisk until the downpour lashed the city on Monday evening, compounding traffic and parking woes of Broadway. “The biggest sales are supposed to happen on the last two days before Thiruvonam, but rain badly hit that momentum,” he noted.

Street vendors bore the brunt, having stocked up in anticipation of brisk sales only to see rain wash away their prospects.

Fisheries Minister and local MLA V.E. Abdul Gafoor visited the Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple, believed to be about 2,000 years old and which has been decked up for Onam. The consecrated festival flag was handed over by Thrikkakara municipal chairperson Rashid Ullampilly to Kalamassery municipal chairperson Jamal Manakkadan. The temple grounds saw waves of visitors from the early hours of Tuesday, and ceremonies continued uninterrupted through most part of the day. Preparations have already begun for the traditional votive lunch on Thiruvonam day, said V. Vineeth, temple advisory committee president.

Traffic

Despite the lull, city traffic police faced a tough task as large numbers of people took out their four‑wheelers either for shopping or to travel to join families for Thiruvonam. The first Goshree Bridge proved the biggest bottleneck, with vehicles from the city converging in two lanes and then forced into the single‑lane bridge, causing cascading congestion at High Court Junction and Marine Drive. Majority of commuters preferring Container Terminal to enter and exit the city added to the traffic chaos along Goshree Bridge.

“There was no block, but traffic was painfully slow, with rain and water‑filled potholes worsening the situation. We cracked down on unauthorised parking along roadsides and footpaths, and additional personnel were deployed to manage traffic,” said P.M. Suneer, sub‑inspector holding charge of inspector, Traffic West.