For Sarada Narayan, Onam is the best time of the year in Chembur. It is because her family hails from Palakkad in Kerala and moved to Mumbai many decades ago. Sarada says the central suburb boasts of a lot of Keralites but not many people know about it. "You may spot more of us in a crowd here than any other community," laughs the 30-year-old. "Since there are a lot of Tamils and Keralites in Chembur, I am sure my grandfather must have chosen Chembur for a reason," she adds.  

Every year, people from Kerala who call Mumbai their home come together to celebrate Onam in the city. Members of the family come together to make the pookalam, cooking the many dishes in the Sadhya, and then enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends. Onam 2023 is observed from August 20 to 31, with the significant day of Thiruvonam on August 29.