In Kerala, Atham is being celebrated today, marking the beginning of the ten-day Onam festivities. At several places, floral carpets, or pookkalams, were laid out, symbolically welcoming King Mahabali, who was sent to the netherworld by Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Many people visited temples across the state. The famous Athachamayam procession, which features various cultural displays and traditional art forms, will be held at Thripunithura this morning. The event is a throwback to the traditional procession once led by the rulers of Kochi to attend the temple festival at Thrikkakara. The 10-day festival at Thrikkakara Temple, connected with the legend of King Mahabali, will begin this evening with kodiyettam, or hoisting of the temple flag. The state government has cancelled its programs associated with the Onam festival in the wake of the massive landslide that hit Wayanad recently, which claimed many lives and displaced several others.
