Yesterday it was Atham day ( As per local Malayalee/Keralite calendar) and the festival season starts from there. Exactly 10 days after Atham (Including Atham), Keralites celebrate their biggest festival, the Onam. The festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala’s culture and tradition. The day also marks the start of festivities at Thrikkara Temple (considered as abode of Mahabali). The Onam celebrations across the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura near Kochi called Athachamayam. Thripunithura is a small temple town (my home town) located in Ernakulam district, Kerala. It was also the capital of old Cochin state. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkara Temple. After independence, the public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which is now agressively promoted as a tourist event. Here are some shots from the grand procession.. I hope you guys will enjoy