Onam the festival of Kerala begins with Atham. It is a ten day long festival. On the tenth day is Thiru Onam. The rituals of Atham is started by taking a bath in the morning and going to temple to offer prayers. The break fast menu from Atham to Thiru Onam will be steamed bananas and fried pappadam. Ladies and children will enjoy swinging by singing Onam songs. The swings will be decorated with flowers which will be tied from branches of the trees in the court yard or close by compounds. A Pookalam ( design with flowers ) starting from Atham will be done in the front courtyard of the house by the girls on the belief that king Mahabali will be visiting them. Each day new flowers of different color will be added to the Pookalam which will be completed only on Thiru Onam. A carnival procession will be held on Atham day at Tripunithura (situated in Cochin city a few Kms. from AROMA HOME STAY ) called as Atha Chamayam. One can see in this procession decorated elephants, performance of traditional art form of Kerala, tableau's depicting kings rule, current issues, dancing ( tiger dance ) fancy dress etc. Regardless of religion each and everyone celebrates the ten day long Onam festival with great enthusiasm and happiness.
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