Athachamayam depicts the beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to view almost all types of folk art forms in Kerala.
Athachamayam is performed every year on the Atham day of the Malayalam month Chingam (Leo) at the historical town of Thripunithura. It is a celebration of the legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi. In olden days it was custom practice for the king to travel with his entire entourage on the Onam to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for the general public to greet the king and see him at close. The march still continues and the only difference is that procession now comes without the king.
The majestic charm of the procession still remains same and is performed in a spectacular manner. Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, and musical ensembles etc form part of the procession.
Onam is the most popular festival among the Malayalees and can be traced back to the first form of harvest festival and also related to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent Asura King who brought peace and prosperity to his country.
Tripunithura is a town in Ernakulam district of Kerala, also called as the temple town. Once this town was the capital of Cochin royal family and the centre of royal activities is known as Kottakkakom and it is referred as Trippy by the locals.
Representatives of all communities accompanied the Maharaja of Kochi during Athachamayam. The team included a priest from Karingachira Church, Imam of the mosque Nettur Thangal, and Chembil Arayan, a representative from the fisher folk. Now, a senior member of the Cochin royal family, along with the other two religious leaders, jointly flag off the procession.
Some of the folk art forms of Kerala such as Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, Kathakali, Aattakkavadi, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam etc are displayed in the Athagosham parade.
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