The President, Vice-President and Prime Minister have greeted the nation on the occasion of Onam, the festival which marks the beginning of the harvest season.
In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee said, "On the festive occasion of Onam, I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to fellow countrymen, especially to my brothers and sisters from Kerala."
He said Onam coincides with the harvest season and marks joyful completion of human efforts with a prayerful optimism for the future.
The President said people regardless of religions or community celebrated the festival with an equal joy, which underlined the secular fabric of our society.
"This unique festival brings out the rich cultural heritage of Kerala in its best form and spirit. On this day, may the joy of Kerala extend to the whole of India," he said.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari in his message said that the mood of rejoicing is vividly captured in the rituals and festivities associated with the festival, which transcends all barriers.
"I extend my warm greetings to all on the joyous occasion of Onam... May this festival bring prosperity and harmony in our lives," Ansari said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also greeted the people on the occasion, saying he hoped the festival would bring happiness and prosperity for all.
In his message, Singh said, "Onam is a celebration of life and hope and a remembrance of the legendary and joyous past. The festival... is a mark of the secular traditions of Kerala."
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy greeted Malayalees all over the world wishing them a prosperous and peaceful Onam festival.
"Let this Onam be a festival of plenty, peace and camaraderie and a happy event to remember for ever," he said in his Onam message.
State ministers also extended warm Onam greetings to the people.
In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMK President Karunanidhi greeted Malayalees on the eve of Onam festival.
In his message, Rosaiah said the joyous occasion symbolised oneness, and the linguistic and cultural harmony.
Further (it) strengthens the bonds of unity and brings peace, progress and prosperity to all. I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the Malayaless living in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country, he said.
Jayalalithaa noted that the Onam festival was celebrated with the lofty ideal of living in harmony with a sense of egalitarianism and brotherhood sans religious and caste differences.
"I convey my heartiest greetings to Malayalam speaking people," she said.
In his message, Karunanidhi said: On behalf of the DMK, which has always desired cordial relations with the people of neighbouring States in a spirit of Dravidian linguistic families, I convey my heartiest greetings.
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