Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Delhi NCR Campus celebrated the vibrant festival of Onam through NORTHONAM 2026, a two-day celebration held on 19 and 20 August 2026. The festivities brought together students, faculty, staff, and employees from various schools and colleges across the campus, fostering a spirit of unity, cultural pride, and togetherness.
The celebrations featured a blend of traditional rituals, cultural performances, sports competitions, and festive activities, including Pookkalam, Onam Sadya, Tug of War, Chenda Melam, Kavadi, a colourful procession, and a grand cultural programme at the Amriteshwari Auditorium.
The celebrations commenced on the evening of 19 August with the formal inauguration of NORTHONAM 2026, led by Dr. Lekha Viswanath, Principal, Amrita College of Nursing. The inaugural programme set the festive spirit for the main celebrations scheduled for the following day.
The evening featured the introduction of Maveli (King Mahabali), a symbolic figure central to the traditions of Onam. A spectacular drop-down of a huge flex banner from the top of the Convention Centre building formally announced NORTHONAM 2026. The programme was further enlivened by energetic student performances, followed by a lively dance session that brought the campus community together in celebration.
The main celebrations began at 10:00 a.m. with a series of traditional, sporting, and cultural activities held across the campus.
The Pookkalam Competition, one of the highlights of the celebration, showcased the creativity and artistic talents of students from different institutions. Students designed intricate floral arrangements on their respective college premises, reflecting the beauty and traditional spirit of Onam. The College of Nursing secured the first position, followed by the School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Artificial Intelligence, and School of Medicine.
The festive spirit continued with an energetic Tug of War Competition, conducted separately for boys and girls. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation, determination, and strong team spirit. In the boys’ category, the College of Nursing emerged victorious, while the School of Medicine secured the second position. In the girls’ category, the College of Nursing once again secured the first position, followed by the School of Allied Health Sciences in second place.
A traditional Onam Sadya was arranged for the students at the Nursing College. Served in the traditional style, the elaborate feast added an authentic culinary touch to the celebrations and was enjoyed by the students.
The campus then came alive with the vibrant beats of Chenda Melam and colourful Kavadi performances, presented by expert performers. This was followed by a grand procession through the campus, with hundreds of students participating enthusiastically and adding to the festive atmosphere.
The celebrations concluded with a vibrant cultural programme at the Amriteshwari Auditorium. Students from the College of Nursing, School of Medicine, School of Artificial Intelligence, and School of Allied Health Sciences showcased their talents through a variety of cultural performances. The programme beautifully reflected the diversity, creativity, and cultural spirit of the Amrita campus community.
NORTHONAM 2026 was marked by enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, staff, and employees across the Delhi NCR Campus. The two-day celebration successfully brought the campus community together to experience the traditions, joy, and cultural richness of Onam. The event stood as a celebration of unity, teamwork, cultural heritage, and togetherness, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the Amrita community.
