Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s most famous festival, Onam, has begun. The ten-day festival, which began on Tuesday, is a time of joy, contemplation and unity, full of cultural richness and emotional resonance. Malayalis across the world eagerly await this festival. This festival is a symbol of hope and prosperity.
The hustle and bustle of Onam has begun across Kerala. From early morning cleaning, festival rituals and decorating the courtyard with flowers to shopping for Onakkodi (new clothes) and preparations for the grand Onam Sadya (feast), excitement is being seen everywhere. Interestingly, Onam is usually celebrated on the tenth day of Atham, but this year Thiruvonam will be celebrated on the eleventh day.
Atham Celebration
Atham is the starting point of Onam festival. The main attraction is the making of Pookkalam, which involves intricate floral decorations in front of houses. The first layer of floral decoration, called Attappu, is made of Thampa flowers, which symbolize purity and simplicity. As the days pass, new flowers are added to it.
Atthappookalam (Carpet of Flowers)
Traditionally, floral decorations used native flowers like Thamba, Kakkapu, Mukkutti, Shankhpushpi and Chembarthi (Hibiscus). Each of these flowers has its own unique characteristics and significance.
Attachamayam Procession
The Attachamayam procession in Thrippunithura is a grand cultural display that marks the official beginning of Onam celebrations. The procession includes 20 floats, over 300 artistes and traditional arts like Theyyam, Kathakali and Pulikali. This vibrant festival reflects the rich cultural diversity of Kerala and is a powerful symbol of religious harmony. “There is an atmosphere of Atham in Tripunithura. This is my motherland – no matter where I live, I always return to my village for this wonderful festival,” a woman from Tripunithura told ETV Bharat.
Green celebration this time
This year the Atchamayam celebrations are being held as per the green protocol. Plastic bottles and flex banners are strictly banned in the procession. Surveillance cameras, around 500 policemen, a medical team led by the Taluk Hospital, fire safety tents managed by the Fire and Rescue Department and drinking water stations were set up at major intersections by Atchamayam volunteers for security.
Flower carpet of Thrissur
A huge floral decoration was made with 1500 kg of flowers at the Vadakkumnatha temple in Thrissur. The ‘Sayahana Kuttayama’ group together created this amazing floral carpet, which is unique to Thrissur. The floral arrangement is a testimony to the spirit and creativity of the community.
Onam Celebrations
The Onam celebrations will continue in Thrissur with various events including the Pulikali Festival. Nine Pulikali groups will participate in the festival organised by the Thrissur Corporation. The corporation is providing financial assistance to each team and the event promises to be a spectacular display of art and culture.
Notably, the Onam celebrations, which began with Onam songs led by V Radhakrishnan at 10 am, were inaugurated by Cochin Devaswom Board chairman K Raveendran. MLA P, Balachandran hoisted the flag of the Onam celebrations. At 6 pm, ‘Deepakaartha’ (light lamps around the floral carpet) was organised by lighting lamps around the floral carpet. The Deepakaartha will be conducted by Mayor MK Varghese and Chief Judicial Magistrate Ramya Menon. This will be followed by hundreds of women led by former Mayor Ajita Vijayan and Advocates Association convenor Deepakkumaran.
Mayor MK Varghese will inaugurate the Pulikali festival in the central part of Thrissur tomorrow at 9 am. This time 9 Pulikali groups will come out to resonate the city. Pulikali festival organised by Thrissur Corporation, the fourth day of which is on 8 September.
The Mayor said that the corporation is ready to organise Pulikali. This time Thrissur Corporation is providing financial assistance of Rs 3,20,000 to each team. The Mayor also informed that for this, an advance amount was provided to each team on the previous day. The Mayor further said that the festival days are coming in Thrissur.
