26 August,2026 11:58 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders extended greetings on Onam and Eid Milad-un-Nabi on Wednesday. File pic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, extended greetings to people on Wednesday on the occasions of Onam and Eid Milad-un-Nabi. The leaders wished people happiness, peace, prosperity, togetherness and communal harmony, while highlighting the values associated with the two festivals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to people in India and across the world on Onam, describing it as a vibrant festival celebrated with enthusiasm.
In a post on X, Modi wished everyone a "beautiful Onam" and said the festival should further strengthen the spirit of happiness, togetherness and prosperity.
The Prime Minister also extended greetings on Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
"Eid Mubarak! Greetings on Milad-un-Nabi," Modi said, expressing hope that the occasion would promote togetherness and joy. He also said the spirit of kindness and giving back to society should continue to guide people.
The Prime Minister's messages came as Onam and Eid Milad-un-Nabi were being observed on the same day across different parts of the country.
President Droupadi Murmu also extended greetings to citizens on Eid Milad-un-Nabi and called on people to draw inspiration from the teachings and life of Prophet Muhammad.
In her message, Murmu said the occasion provides an opportunity to remember the Prophet's teachings and highlighted the values of noble conduct and a sense of duty.
She wished citizens, particularly members of the Muslim community, on the occasion and said the ideals associated with Prophet Muhammad's life could inspire people to contribute towards building an inclusive and progressive India.
The President had also extended greetings on the eve of Onam, describing the festival as an occasion to express gratitude for the new harvest and highlighting Kerala's cultural heritage and spirit of brotherhood.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also wished people on Onam.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Wishing everyone a very Happy Onam!" and wished that the festival would bring happiness, new beginnings and prosperity to all.
His greeting came as Kerala and other communities marked the culmination of the 10-day Onam celebrations with Thiruvonam.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended greetings on both Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi and Onam.
In his message on Eid, Kharge highlighted the values of compassion, peace and justice associated with the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
He said the occasion should strengthen bonds of brotherhood and inspire people to build a society based on mutual respect and communal harmony.
Kharge also wished people on Onam, describing the festival as a celebration of Kerala's rich cultural heritage, prosperity, inclusiveness and togetherness.
He wished that the colours and festivities of Onam would bring happiness, peace and prosperity to every home.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also extended her Onam greetings.
In a post, she wished people a happy Onam and expressed hope that the celebrations and the days ahead would bring love, joy and peace.
The Congress leaders' greetings came amid nationwide observances of the two festivals, with both occasions carrying messages of community and social harmony.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended greetings to people on the festive occasions.
Yogi conveyed his wishes to those celebrating Onam and called for the spirit of harmony, peace and mutual respect associated with the festivals to be strengthened.
His greetings came alongside messages from leaders across the political spectrum as people in different parts of the country observed the occasions.
Onam is Kerala's major harvest festival and is celebrated over 10 days during the Malayalam month of Chingam, generally in August or September.
The festival marks harvest, abundance and Kerala's cultural traditions and is also associated with social harmony and togetherness.
Thiruvonam, the tenth and most important day of the celebrations, is being observed on Wednesday.
According to Hindu mythology, Onam commemorates the annual homecoming of King Mahabali, who is remembered as a wise, generous and popular ruler. His reign is traditionally described as a period of peace and prosperity.
The legend says Lord Vishnu appeared before Mahabali in the form of Vamana and asked for land that could be covered in three paces. After the king agreed, Vamana assumed a gigantic form and covered the Earth and heavens in two steps.
With no place remaining for the third step, Mahabali offered his head. Impressed by his devotion and generosity, Lord Vishnu granted him the boon of returning to visit his people once every year. Onam is traditionally associated with this annual return.
Onam celebrations are marked by several cultural traditions.
People wear new clothes, prepare floral decorations known as Pookkalam and prepare Onasadya, a traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf.
The festival is also associated with cultural programmes, traditional music, folk performances and boat races, reflecting Kerala's cultural heritage.
The celebrations bring families and communities together and are widely seen as a symbol of inclusiveness and social harmony.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, also known as Eid-e-Milad or Mawlid, is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
The occasion falls on the 12th day of Rabi' ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. In India, it is being observed on August 26 this year, with festivities beginning on August 25.
The occasion is associated with remembering the life, teachings and character of Prophet Muhammad. Values such as compassion, forgiveness, selflessness, kindness and duty are highlighted during observances.
Milad-un-Nabi is marked in different ways by Muslim communities, including religious gatherings, prayers, recitations and programmes focusing on the Prophet's teachings.
The traditions associated with Milad-un-Nabi developed over centuries and spread across West Asia and South Asia. The occasion is now observed by Muslim communities in several parts of the world.
It is also marked in countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Russia and Germany.
In India, observances vary between communities and regions, with religious gatherings and processions forming part of the occasion in several places.
The simultaneous observance of Onam and Eid Milad-un-Nabi this year has brought messages of cultural diversity, peace, inclusiveness and togetherness from political and constitutional leaders.
