Richa Chadha Celebrates Onam with Daughter in Kerala

The Cliff News | 26 August 2026

Actress Richa Chadha marked this year's Onam festival with a vibrant and meaningful celebration in Kerala alongside her daughter, Zuneyra. The mother-daughter duo immersed themselves in the spirit of the festivities, which included a temple visit, traditional performances, and a ceremonial feast.

The highlight of their outing was a visit to the Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple, where Richa Chadha presented a life-size mechanical elephant, named Gurupuram Arjunan, to the temple. She participated in the unveiling ceremony, a significant moment for both the temple and the actress.

A Festive Mother-Daughter Experience

Chadha and her daughter were dressed in traditional attire for the occasion. Richa opted for a classic white and gold sari, while Zuneyra wore a specially designed Onam outfit. The pair actively engaged in the festivities, enjoying traditional performances that included a lively Chenda Melam and an graceful Thiruvathira dance.

Sharing her experience, Richa Chadha described the feeling of being present at the temple as "a very special feeling." She emphasized the added significance of celebrating with her daughter, noting how Zuneyra's engagement with the traditions made the experience more profound for her.

"Our festivals, traditions are such an integral part of who we are," Chadha stated, reflecting on the importance of cultural heritage.

Championing Compassionate Traditions

Beyond the joyous celebration, Richa Chadha also spoke about the importance of integrating compassionate choices with cultural practices. Her remarks touched upon the welfare of animals, specifically highlighting elephants as "magnificent and intelligent beings" that deserve to live freely in their natural habitats.

The actress's gesture of donating a mechanical elephant to the temple can be seen as a step towards promoting traditions while being mindful of animal welfare. This initiative offers a modern alternative to the use of live animals in ceremonies, aligning with her expressed values of kindness towards creatures.

The mother-daughter duo concluded their Onam celebration by partaking in an Onam Sadhya, a traditional feast, and engaging with the local community. This provided them with an authentic experience of the festival's cultural richness and communal spirit.