Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Athachamayam Rally Heralds Start of 10-Day Onam Festivities in Kerala
Every year, people in Kerala, a state in India, celebrate a happy harvest festival called Onam.
This year, the fun started with a big parade called Athachamayam in a town named Tripunithura.
Everyone cheered as decorated elephants, colorful floats, and dancers walked through the streets.
Musicians played drums and other instruments to make the parade lively.
Some dancers dressed up as tigers, and others performed folk dances like Theyyam and Kathakali.
Even though it rained a bit, thousands of people came to watch.
The Chief Minister of Kerala, V D Satheesan, opened the celebrations and asked people to protect the old buildings in Tripunithura.
He wants the town to become a heritage city so its history is not lost.
The Onam festival lasts ten days, and the most special day, called Thiruvonam, will be on August 26.
People believe the kind King Mahabali visits Kerala during Onam to see everyone.
A colourful Athachamayam rally featuring caparisoned elephants, floats, and folk performances was held in Tripunithura, Kerala, on Sunday.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the celebrations and urged that Tripunithura be protected and turned into a heritage city.
State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob unfurled the Atham flag and Malayalam film actor Jagadish flagged off the rally.
Thousands braved intermittent rains to watch percussion performances and art forms including Theyyam, Kolkali, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, and Kathakali.
The Athachamayam marks the start of the 10-day Onam festivities, whose most important day, Thiruvonam, falls on August 26.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, State Minister Anoop Jacob, actor Jagadish, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and thousands of spectators
- What
- The Athachamayam rally, a colourful procession of elephants, floats, and folk performances inaugurating the 10-day Onam festivities
- When
- Sunday; Thiruvonam, the most important day of Onam, falls on August 26
- Where
- Tripunithura, Kerala, India
- Why
- To herald the start of the 10-day Onam harvest festival, believed to welcome King Mahabali's spirit to Kerala
- Event
- Athachamayam
- Location
- Tripunithura, Kerala
- Festival
- Onam (10-day harvest festival)
- Inaugurated by
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan
- Atham flag unfurled by
- Minister Anoop Jacob
- Rally flagged off by
- Actor Jagadish
- Thiruvonam
- August 26
- Sabarimala temple
- Opened at 5 pm on Sunday for Chingam month pujas