ONAM FESTIVAL

Ten Days Of Onam Festivel Started on Atham Day August 31^st 2011 Saturday. Today we are on 6^th September Moolam. And Thrivonam is on 9^th of September 2011.

The ten-day celebrations of Onam start on Atham

day.[ atham, chithira, chothi, visakham, anisham, thrikketta, moolam, pooraadam, uthraadam, thiruvonam] First day is an important one and is considered holy and

auspicious by the people of Kerala.

Major highlight of Atham is that people start making pookalam from this day. Pookalam, also called Athapoo , is an intricate floral mat laid in the front courtyard by maidens of the house. This is done to welcome the holy spirit of legendary King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. In subsequent days more flowers and new

designs are added to th

is pookalam.

Athachamyam is also carried on the day of Atham to ma

rk the beginning of the grand carnival of Onam. The procession is carried out to comm

emorate 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 Fo

rt. Even in the absence of King today, the custom still retains its majestic charm. Elephant processions, f

olk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event.
10 Days of Onam.

We do celebrate PULIKKALI on the 4^th Onam – 12^th of September at

TRICHUR only.

Puli Kali ("Puli" = Leopard/Tiger & "Kali" = Play in Malayalam language) also known as Kaduvakali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam), performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur district of Kerala. Best place to watch the show is at Swaraj Round, Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills. The festival attracts thousands of people to the Thrissur city.

Atham | Chithira | Chodhi | Visakam | Anizham | Thriketa | Moolam
Pooradam | Uthradam | Thiruvonam

This blog post is dedicated to my dear friend and ex colleague Mr. Ashok G. Bhavasar.

Phtos courtesy : saritha madhu and prasi premchand

and

Data coll: wikipedia and jayakrishna kaimal