Bendigo’s South Indian community gathered to celebrate an annual festival, while also taking the opportunity to raise funds to assist with flood relief in the state of Kerala.
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Hundreds of people turned out at St Liborius Parish Hall to celebrate Onam, a harvest festival in Hindu culture.
Bendigo Malayalee Association president Shilin Roy said it was the most popular festival celebrated by people of all religions in Kerala.
“We grow a lot of crops and grains in Kerala, especially rice,” Ms Roy said.
“This is the time of harvest in the paddy fields.”
Part of Onam celebrations include a banquet lunch, which is traditionally made with ingredients that have been recently harvested.
The meal consists of over 20 dishes and is served on a banana leaf.
Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services chairman Abhishek Awasthi said it was important to celebrate cultural festivals in Bendigo.
“We are so rich in our diversity of cultures here,” Mr Awasthi said.
“Melbourne might be one of the most livable cities in the world, but Bendigo is definitely the most livable regional city in the world.
“It’s great to have these festivals where everyone is accepted, where they come together to celebrate their culture.
“It’s so important to be proud of your culture and celebrate who you are.”
Ms Roy said it was an opportunity to help raise funds to assist with flood relief in Kerala.
“Today is even more important this year because we have come together in solidarity to help raise funds for the Kerala Government’s flood relief program,” Ms Roy said.
“A lot of the community have relatives back in Kerala who have been affected by the floods.
“We are trying to raise as much money as we can to send it back to help.”
During August the South Indian state of Kerala was hit by unprecedented monsoonal rains, marking the worst floods to hit the region in the last century which have killed hundreds of people.
“We have to support them, we can’t help them physically but we can send them some financial assistance,” Ms Roy said.
“We have received many generous contributions which will help the state of Kerala.”
Mr Awasthi said the community was “all hands on deck” to help with the flood relief.
“India and especially Kerala have experienced some of the worst rainfall and floods in a long time,” he said.
“The money raised will go to help on the ground in Kerala to support the communities which are struggling.
“It’s not the amount of money that is important, it’s the gesture and effort which goes a long way.”
