The 10-day harvest festival of Onam is the most eagerly awaited festival of Kerala and Athachamayam Festival is held before the starting of the Onam. The festival starts on the Atham day of Chingam (Leo), which is a Malayalam month. This Malayalam month usually falls either in August or September.
This festival takes place in Thripunithura, which is a historical town located near Kochi. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the fabled victory of the Raja of Kochi. During the festival colourful procession comes out. Tourists can see almost all the outstanding art forms of Kerala during the procession of the festival. Floral carpet, which is a trademark of Onam festival, is also made during Cochin’s Athachamayam Festival.
History of Athachamayam.
There are many legends behind the Athachamayam Festival of Kochi. In earlier times this occasion was utilised by the people to see their king from close quarters. It was a rule among the maharajas of Kochi to travel with the entire group to the fort of Thripunithura.
It is believed by some that on this day the Maharaja of Kochi undertook Athachamayam march from Thripunithura to Thrikkakara’s Vamana temple. The purpose of the march was to display the regal glory and splendor of the king. With the end of the era of monarchs and kings, this festival had died out but was revived during the period of 1960s.
New age Athachamayam
The festival of Athachamayam, which is celebrated today, is very colourful. The festival includes procession with decorated elephants, group of musicians, and various art forms. There is a spectacular procession during the festival. The tourists to Kochi can witness the rare bundle of temple and folk arts of Kerala during this festival, which are done by professional artists.
The art forms that are seen during the festival include Panchavadyam, Theyyam, Pambamelam, Chendamelam, Mayilattom, Karakattam, Aattakavadi, Ammankudam and Pulikali.
Compiled by RoopaThayabji
- By KOL News , Written on September 2, 2008
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Wow its superp!I was also born in tripunitura.But I have never seen ‘Aththachamayam’live, before my eyes.
Athachamayam,is part of the ten day harvest festival, Onam in Kerala. This is a colourful procession with caparisoned elephants, colourful floats and some of the awesome art forms of Kerala including Theyyam, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, Pambamelam, Karakattam, Mayilattom, Ammankudam and Aattakavadi and Pulikali.
One can also have a look on the pookkalams, floral decorations to welcome King Mahabali (Maveli), who is believed to have ruled the land, according to mythology. Onam is celebrated to commemorate the rule of this ideal king. The venue of this annual event is in Thripunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
THIS IS WHAT WE LEARNT , BUT NOW THE HISTORY IS BEING DISTORTED !!!However these are all fabricated stories !
There is an old Malayalam song”poovili poovili ponnonamayi”.But in this age all these ‘vilees ‘ are to our neighbouring states for want of flowers.”Aana melinjal thozhuthil kettan pattumo???”