Mumbai | All Mumbai Malayali Association (AMMA), Mumbai is organizing to erect a Mega Onapookkalam at CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), one of the busiest stations on the Central Railway. The initial work for the flower field will start from 2 pm on September 14 followed by the Pookkalam at 10 pm. The public will be able to visit and view it from 7 am on September 15, Thiruvonam day.
At the CSMT station, where around fifty lakh passengers arrive every day, about eight hundred people arrived every minute to see the flower carpet arranged in previous years. Considering the rush of people coming to see the flower carpet, the 'Pookkalam' which was built for one day was removed only after two days. About 26 lakh people came to see the Pookklam in the previous year.
The only flower carpet in the world that has seen the most visitors and taken the most selfies is being prepared at CSMT station. Mega Snehapookkalam is offered as a memorial for those who died in CST in 2008 terror attack. Jojo Thomas, AMMA President and a prominent socio-political activist in Mumbai, said that the purpose behind preparing this flower arrangement is to convey to the Malayalees the memory of a good time when people were all together and to bring this cultural celebration to the rest of the people.
It is the pride of every Malayali to be a part of this Pookkalam, which is the pride of Mumbai Malayalees, seen all over the world and deserves many records. Jojo Thomas added that we Malayalees come in our unique costume to visit this Pookkalam, where rest of the state people are coming more to see it, would make others aware of our culture.
The mega Pookkalam is the collective efforts of many people like those who come to Dadar and Kalyan early in the morning to buy flowers, those who provide a place to collect and keep the flowers, people who bring flowers from different places, artists, those who makes the flower carpet until dawn, and those who arrange food, water etc. Thus the AMMA Pookkalam of CSMT, Mumbai becomes the pride of Malayalees on Onam every year.
For information: mumbaiamma@gmail.com
