Artistes perform during the ‘Athachamayam’ procession marking the beginning of the annual harvest festival of Onam at Thripunithura in Ernakulam, Kerala, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat
Thousands of people from far and wide, in a festive mood, braved the sweltering heat to witness the Athachamayam pageantry at Thripunithura in Ernakulam, Kerala, on Tuesday (August 26, 2025), marking the onset of the Onam festival.
The procession, organised annually by the Thripunithura municipality, showcased Kerala’s rich artistic and cultural heritage along with the State’s celebrated secular spirit.
Artistes perform during the ‘Athachamayam’ procession marking the beginning of the annual harvest festival of Onam at Thripunithura in Ernakulam, Kerala, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
Thulasi Kakkat
People of all ages and walks of life lined the procession route. Local Self-Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh inaugurated the event, while actor Jayaram flagged off the procession from the Thripunithura Government Boys School ground.
Green protocol
The Minister urged the people to follow the State’s green protocol strictly in all Onam celebration events. “This year, we are celebrating Mahabali not only as the king of equality but also the king of cleanliness,” Mr. Rajesh said.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve hoisted the ‘Atham flag’, marking the beginning of the celebrations.
The procession featured Kerala’s traditional and folk artforms such as theyyam, chendamelam, arjunanrutham, karakattam, padayani and pulikali. Men dressed as King Mahabali and tableaus depicting characters from Hindu mythology as well as socially relevant themes were among the highlights of the spectacle. The procession also featured band sets, duff muttu and margamkali.
Message against drug menace
A major attraction of this year’s procession was the campaign against drug menace. Children holding placards and banners bearing anti-drug messages highlighted the event’s social commitment. Tableaus depicted episodes from mythology as well as recent incidents, including the Pahalgam terror attack.
Students from various educational institutions, ASHA workers and Kudumbashree workers participated in the procession.
Thripunithura municipal chairperson Rema Santhosh, K. Babu, MLA, Anoop Jacob, MLA, District Collector G. Priyanka and actor Ramesh Pisharody attended the inaugural function.
Published – August 26, 2025 04:04 pm IST
