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Thripunithura Athachamayam
Venue: Thripunithura, Kochi, Ernakulam district
Thripunithura Athachamayam is a rare oppourtunity for the tourists as well as the localites to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala, Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten-day Onam festival in Kerala. Conducted on the Atham asterism of the Malayalam month Chingam (Leo), the event today commemorates a royal custom of the Maharajas of erstwhile Kochi State. In olden days it was customary for the King to travel with his entire entourage to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. Since 1960 it has been taken over by the government and is organised by governmental bodies as part of the Onam festival. This colourful procession conducted on the day of Atham marks the beginning of Onam celebrations for ten days that concludes on the day of Thiruvonam. The procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm, and is conducted in a spectacular manner.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Thripunithura, about 1 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 30 km from Thripunithura.
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