Athachamayam

A grand celebration that brings together the folk art forms of Kerala, Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten-day festival of Onam. Athachamayam commemorates the victory of the king of Kochi and is usually celebrated in August/September, when a spectacular procession representing the king and his entourage is taken out. Several floats depicting scenes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, caparisoned elephants, folk art forms and musical ensembles accompany this procession. The ceremony begins by lighting a lamp, a symbolic gesture performed by a priest. The participants are usually dressed in silk ensembles that include a yellow kurta and pyjama for men, and pevada davani or sarees for women. People also don colourful and elaborate masks to complement their attire.

Athachamayam

Aluva Sivarathri

Lying on the outskirts of Kochi, Aluva is renowned for the annual Sivarathri celebrations, held in honour of Lord Shiva. These are held in the Malayalam month of Kumbam, usually February/March, on the banks of the tranquil River Periyar. Special pujas, offerings and prayers are held during the festival that is organised at the Aluva Manappuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the day, rituals are performed at the temple by over 500 priests while a sea of devotees gather to pay their respects to the deity. Many of these, fast throughout the day. Besides prayers, cultural programmes and trade fairs are also organised. The festival is celebrated in remembrance of Lord Shiva, who drank a deadly poison to save the world.

Aluva Sivarathri

Chandanakkudam Festival

Held at the Kanjiramattom Mosque, in Ernakualm District of Kerala, the ritual of chandanakkudam is one of the major festivals held in the region. Generally organised during the month of January at the mosque, which is a memorial to Sheikh Fariduddin, a revered Muslim mystic, the festival is a must-attend. It involves a procession of hundreds of pilgrims carrying earthen pots, smeared with sandal paste and filled with coins. The procession is held at night when caparisoned elephants walk alongside colourfully dressed people. This festival provides a rare opportunity for spectators to witness Muslim art forms like duffmuttu, oppana, mappilappattu and kolkali during the procession. These dance and song performances are a part of Kanjiramattom Kodikuthu and make for a fascinating sight.

Chandanakkudam Festival

Onam

Celebrated all over the state of Kerala, Onam is the most popular festival of Malayalis. Spanning over ten days, Onam starts on Atham day and lasts till Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, meaning sacred Onam day. This unique festival brings the colours and cultures of the state into the limelight, when people across Kerala prepare to have a grand time. On the first day, a street parade is organised that sees caparisoned elephants, carnival floats, brightly dressed dancers and musicians, and various other artistes.

Onam