Thripunithura Athachamayam
There isn’t a more colourful start to the Onam festival than the Athachamayam festival, which kicks off celebrations. The festival features a street parade accompanied by decorated elephants and floats, musicians, and various traditional Kerala art forms. It has interesting beginnings, which can be traced back to the Maharaja of Kochi. He used to march from Tripunithura to Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara (also known as Thrikkakara Temple), which according to legend is where the Onam Festival originated. This modern-day festival follows in his footsteps. The whole town gets festive with decorations, street stalls, and floral arrangements. Teams also compete in a floral rangoli (pookalam) competition.
Where: Tripunithura, near Ernakulam in greater Kochi.
When: Atham, 10 days before Thiru Onam (also known as Second Onam, the main day of Onam). In 2018, Thripunithura Athachamayam will take place on August 15. Various other cultural events will continue at Layam Ground in the 10 days leading up to Onam.
Celebrations at Thrikkakara Temple
Thrikkakara Temple is particularly associated with the Onam Festival. Celebrations commence there on Atham with a special flag hoisting ceremony and continue for the 10 days with cultural, music, and dance performances. A highlight is a grand procession, pakalpooram, on the day before Thiru Onam. The main deity, Vamana, is carried around the temple grounds on an elephant, followed by a group of caparisoned elephants.
Where: Thrikkakara village, around 15 kilometres northeast of Ernakulam near Kochi, off Thrissur-Ernakulam highway (NH 47).
When: The day before Thiru Onam. August 24, 2018.
Onam Week
Kerala Tourism puts on a huge week-long Onam celebration at a multitude of venues in the state’s capital, Trivandrum. The festivities include stage shows (drama and classical dance), folk art, food stalls, and handicraft fairs. It all culminates in a grand parade on the last day, complete with floats and decorated elephants.
Where: Various venues in and around Trivandrum.
When: August 24-30, 2018.
Feasting
Food, glorious food! It wouldn’t be Onam without a festival feast. Traditionally, it’s referred to as Onasadya, and it consists of a number of specialities (often more than 20 different curries) dished up on a banana leaf. You won’t need to look far to find a restaurant in Kerala that serves this tasty treat.
Where: Restaurants in cities across Kerala.
When: Thiru Onam (the main Onam day). August 25, 2018.
Pulikkali Tiger Play
Hundreds of grown men dressed up as tigers and dancing to the beat of traditional percussion instruments are an unexpected feature of Onam celebrations. Although this display of the art of Pulikkali may be one of the quirkiest festivals in India, it’s actually very serious business! You may be surprised to discover that it takes around four hours to completely decorate one person. As part of the process, all body hair needs to be removed to enable the skin to be painted in intricate detail. After the festival is over, performers wash with kerosene to get the paint off. There are prizes for the best-dressed tiger and best dance. Grrrr.
Where: Swaraj Round in Thrissur.
When: August 28, 2018.
Aranmula Snake Boat Race
Snake boat races are another highlight of the Kerala Onam festival. The Aranmula Boat Race is not only the most famous one, but it’s also among the oldest snake boat races in Kerala. Unlike the others, the focus is more on tradition than the competition. The event has religious significance as it commemorates the installation of the idol of Lord Krishna at the nearby Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Almost 50 boats take part in the race, which starts in the afternoon after religious rituals are completed.
Where: The banks of the Pampa River near the Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula. It’s half an hour by road from Changannur railway station.
When: August 29, 2018.
Post Your Comments