Kochi: ‘Athachamayam’ celebrations, heralding the start of the 10-day ‘Onam’ festivities in Kerala, saw a colourful rally of caparisoned elephants, floats and folk-dance performances at Tripunithura here on Sunday.
The celebrations were officially inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, who said that since the time of the royal era, the Kochi kingdom and Tripunithura have been examples of secularism as people from all religions and communities took part in the ‘Athachamayam’ festivities.
He further said that the history and heritage of Tripunithura should be highlighted.
“It should be turned into a heritage city,” he said.
The CM said that there were many historical castles in the city, but many were demolished, and the rest are also being gradually removed.
“I request that they be protected. If it becomes a heritage city, they will be protected. In European nations, they protect such old buildings,” Satheesan said.
He also recalled how since childhood he used to come to see the festivities every year.
State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob unfurled the Atham flag.
Subsequently, Malayalam film actor Jagadish flagged off the rally, which commenced from Atham Nagar in Tripunithura, once the capital of the erstwhile Royal Kingdom of Kochi.
Thousands, across all age groups and from all walks of life, braved the intermittent rains and turned up to watch the colourful procession, which was lent a rhythmic touch by the ‘chendamelam’ and ‘panchavadyam’ performances by percussionists.
Women in traditional Kerala attire of ‘set mundu’, children in different kinds of fancy dresses, various folk art forms like Theyyam, Kolkali, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, and classical art forms like Kathakali added colour to the ‘Athachamayam’ procession.
People, including some foreigners, lined both sides of the procession route to witness the festivities.
During the royal era, the Maharaja of Kochi used to participate in the procession from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy temple at Thrikkakara.
According to legends, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is believed to visit Kerala at the time of Onam to see his subjects.
Meanwhile, the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta will open at 5 pm on Sunday for Chingam month pujas.
Onam, the harvest festival, is celebrated during the auspicious Malayalam month of Chingam. Thiruvonam, the most important day of the Onam festivities, falls on August 26 this year.
