ATHACHAMAYAM AT THRIPUNITHURA DURING ONAM FESTIVAL
Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in
Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms
of Kerala.
Conducted every year on the Atham asterism of the Malayalam month
Chingam (Leo), the event held at the historical town of Thripunithura
is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja (King) of Kochi.
In olden days it was customary for the king to travel with his entire
entourage to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for
his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The
procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm,
and is conducted in a spectacular manner.
Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, musical
ensembles etc form part of the procession.
Onam is the most popular festival of the Malayalees and can be traced
to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King
Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity
to his country.
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