Onam festival begins in Kerala

Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala began here today to a traditional beginning with a grand pomp and show at the Tripunithura town near Kochi.

Kochi, Aug 17 : Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala began here today to a traditional beginning with a grand pomp and show at the Tripunithura town near Kochi.

The 10-day festival began with the "Athachamayam" ceremony or, the traditional beginning of Onam celebrations.

Organised every year on Atham asterism of the Malayalam month "Chingam", the Onam festival fell this year on Friday.

After the flag hoisting, a ceremonial parade was taken out in the narrow streets, headed by the Lord Mahabali.

Thousands of devotees participated in the ceremonial parade, headed by the Lord Mahabali, taken out in the narrow streets of Tripunithura town.

Also known as Athagosham, the over weeklong festival captivates a large number of tourists from various parts of the country and abroad to Tripunithuta.

Besides its religious significance, the festival is also an occasion to witness its highlights being ancient and modern art forms such as folk dances, competitions and other entertainment programs.

The ceremonial parade and processions are conducted every year depicting the yesteryears Kochi King's visit in the praise of deity.

Traditionally linked to the erstwhile Cochin Royalty, Athachamayam, was supposed to be a reminder of those times when everything had a natural grand dimension and where unviable hierarchies amplified even the ordinary.

The program has turned out to be a grand function when people, irrespective of their cast or creed, participate in various programs.

Christian Babu Joseph is one such example. He performs the mythological King Mahabali's role.

Joseph says that for him, this festival is not related to any single religion but meant by all. Every one is enthusiastic about taking up any role in the program.

Preparations start few days ahead of the main function, when various arts clubs in and around Tripunithura unite to participate in the parade in different costumes.

Baby Joseph, performing King Mahabali's role, said: "Being a Christian I feel proud and great to take part in the Onam celebrations as one of the best example of communal harmony, this is not for a single religion, in Kerala each and every one or creed joins in the preparations ahead of Onam."

Apart from elephant march, theme floats and tableaux, traditional art forms of Kerala like Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Arjuna Nrutham, Ardha Nareeswaranrutham including, Pulikali (tiger dance) and other folk art forms had gathered at the local Atham Nagar Government Boys High School here.

ANI