Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday, 14 August 2010: Today is Atham, which marks the beginning of the ten day long ‘Onam’ celebrations in the State, highlights the famous saying in Malayalam, “Atham Pathinu Ponnonam”. Onam, which commence with Atham (the first day) would culminate on Thiruvonam (tenth day).

The auspicious day is whole heartedly welcomed by the people by making ‘Pookkalam’ or floral carpets in front of their homes as a symbolic gesture to welcome the legendary king Mahabali. At Thripunithura in Kochi, the famous customary procession of ‘Athachamayam’ would begin within a couple of hours from now. The procession is carried out to commemorate the royal custom of the erstwhile state of Kochi when it was customary for the King to travel with his entire entourage to the Thripunithura Fort.

As part of the grand Atham procession, colourful and spectacular display of various art forms, tableaux and floats would line up in streets. The procession would present Kerala’s culture and its rural arts and is one of the much awaited annual cultural processions noted for caparisoned elephants, traditional art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kummatii Kali, Thiruvathirakali, Theyyam and Pulikali, musical ensembles like Chendamelam and Panchavadyam.

The ten day long Onam festival at the Thrikkakara Temple, also in Kochi, closely associated with the legend of King Mahabali would begin this evening with ‘Kodiyettu’ (flag hoisting).