Some highlights of Athame is that people begin to pookalam from that day. Pookalam, also called Athapoo is a complex floral carpet laid in the front yard by the girls home. This is done to welcome the Holy Spirit of legendary King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit Kerala during Onam. In the following days more flowers and new models are added to this pookalam.
Athachamyam is also made on the day of Athame to mark the beginning of the great carnival of Onam.The procession is conducted to commemorate the royal custom of the state of Kochi formerly when it was customary for the king to travel with his entire entourage at Fort Thripunithura. Even the king's absence today, the custom still retains its majestic charm. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dance are Athachamyam a spectacular event.
Size Attha Poo gets further increased with an addition designed with various flowers.Shopping frenzy can be seen on the market throughout the state as everybody buys new clothes and accessories to accompany the great festival of Onam. Gifts are also provided to everyone in the house including the servants. Some purchases are also closed to parents. With the growing hype for the festival, thank you to the media, too many traders come up innovative incentives to attract customers who want to spend. These days, even the owners of e-coupons offer attractive discounts to take advantage of the bullish mood of the festivities.
The highlight of the day is the great Snake Boat Race called Vallamkali. The popular contest is happening on the banks of the River Pamba to Aaranmula, witnessed by both the national and international tourists.
Many long snake boats known as vallams chundan attend Vallamkali. Each boat is decorated with colorful trains hundreds of oarsmen dressed in the traditional mundu (dhoti / sarong) and thalappaa (turban). The boats are rows pace vanchipattu (boat songs).Vallamkali is essentially a team event and a single mistake by a rower can lead to overturning the boat entirely....
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