Onam 2026 Begins With Athachamayam Celebrations

Onam, Kerala's biggest cultural and traditional festival, has begun with the Athachamayam celebrations on Sunday, August 16. The ten-day festival will culminate in Thiruvonam, which will be observed on Wednesday, August 26.

The festival starts with Atham, which marks the beginning of the Onam festivities. Athachamayam is a vibrant cultural festival held every year in Thripunithura near Kochi, Kerala. It commemorates a historic royal tradition of the Kochi Maharaja and features a grand street procession with traditional art forms, music, and colourful floats.

Kerala Chief Minister V.D Satheesan inaugurated the Athachamayam celebrations, highlighting Tripunithura's secular traditions and rich royal heritage. The event was organised by the Thripunithura Municipality and showcased Kerala's rich artistic and cultural heritage, along with the State's celebrated secular spirit.

Onam is a Hindu festival that is predominantly celebrated in Kerala. It marks the Malayali New Year in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which falls in the month of August and September. The auspicious day also commemorates the homecoming of the mythical mighty King Mahabali and is marked by vibrant festivities, unity, and traditional feasts.

The festival is celebrated over ten days, with each day having its own significance and rituals. The dates of the Onam festival are fixed by the Malayalam Chingam month and the Thiruvonam nakshatra. Onam is a time for Malayali communities worldwide to come together and celebrate their tradition, devotion, and unity.

The Athachamayam celebrations were attended by people's representatives, film personalities, and locals, who gathered to witness the vibrant procession and mark the beginning of the Onam festivities. The event was also shared on social media by the Chief Minister, who highlighted the importance of Athachamayam in showcasing Kerala's rich cultural heritage.

Onam is a significant festival in Kerala, and its celebrations are an integral part of the state's culture and tradition. The festival promotes unity, harmony, and cultural exchange, and is a time for people to come together and celebrate their heritage.

In conclusion, the Onam festival has begun with the Athachamayam celebrations, marking the start of Kerala's 10-day harvest festival. The festival is a significant event in Kerala's cultural calendar, and its celebrations are a testament to the state's rich cultural heritage and tradition.