Today is Atham, marking the beginning of the ten-day Onam festivities in Kerala. People wearing traditional attire, visited temples across the State this morning. Floral carpets or pookkalams are being laid in front of  houses, as a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali,  who was sent to the netherworld by Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The renowned Athachamayam procession is scheduled to take place in Thripunithura town of Ernakulam this morning. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the procession. Athachamayam is a throwback of the procession once undertaken by the rulers of Kochi to participate in the temple festival at Thrikkakara on the day of Atham. Various art forms representing the culture and heritage of Kerala, will line up in the procession. This time the Attachamayam procession is being organised following green protocol. Onam celebrations at Thrikkakara Vamanakshetra will also be flagged off today.

The ten-day festival at Thrikkakara Temple, closely entwined with the legend of Mahabali, will begin this evening with kodiyettam or hoisting of the temple flag.