KERALAN COMMUNITY​​​

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Sawston and the local area is home to a number of people who hail from the state of Kerala in S.W.
India. Most of them work in the local healthcare sector and many worship at Our Lady of Lourdes
R.C . church.

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Links:

Angels' Village -- Keralan Charity

Taste of Kerala -- Charity Fund Raiser 

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The festival of King Mahabali

 

Recently the church hall was used to celebrate Onam, a rich and colourful Keralan
harvest festival.
The festival is dedicated to the homecoming of the mythical Keralan King Mahabali. In Hindu
tradition King Mahabali was a kind and generous leader who was tricked out of his kingdom but
granted a return to see his people each year. Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike celebrate it as a
rare festival that transcends religious lines.
‘King Mahabili’ arrived at the church hall to be welcomed by lines of children bearing bowls of flower
petals. After songs and dances the Keralan Hindus, Muslims and Christians enjoyed a meal of
thirteen delicious flavours served, as demanded, by tradition on banana leaves.

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