The tradition of Athachamayam began during the reign of Kochi raja ( king). It was during the mid 20th century that Athachamayam started being celebrated. But, it never started as a part of Onam, instead, it was a proceeding held by the King of Kochi, who hosted other kings who visited his kingdom to the famous Thrikakara Vamana moorthy temple. Later, one year, the procedure did not take place due to a heavy downpour, and from then, Kochi Raja restricted the tradition to just Thripunithra (his kingdom). It was from that period, the procession got its name Athachamayam. It is also famously known as Thripunithra Athachamayam, as it is a speciality &part of culture of Thripunithra, on the day of Atham every year.
Athachamayam is derived from two words, “Atham”, the first day of Onam and “Chamayam” means to well dress. Thus on the day of Athachamayam, Raja would accompany a grant military procession with full ceremony outfit. He used this as a day to meet and greet his subjects and to distribute gifts to them. Procession started from Thripunithra palace ( Hill palace) to Vamana moorthi temple, Thrikakara.
Respresentatives of different community and caste, such as Karingachira Kathanaar for Christians, Nettoor Thangal for Muslims, Chembil Arayan for fisher folks etc. used to take part in the procession showing equality in communities.
The tradition continued every year until the period of freedom, after which the king faced financial crisis to continue the procession nad thus handed over the rights to the ruling government. Agaian during the period of 1970’s when municipality was formed in thripunithra, the rights for Athachamayamhttps://in.pinterest.com/pin/287245282456893998/?autologin=true was handed over to the municipality and is being continued till date.
Present day Athachamayam has a lot difference from the real beginning of the same. Nowadays Athachamayam begins with a flag off from the Atham nagar, at the boys high school ground. A socially importaant person, inaugurates the proceeding on the morning of Atham. The procession/proceeding covers the East fort and North fort gates, statue junction and then finally returns back to Boys school ground.
Athachamayam 2019 took place on 2nd Spetember,Monday. The proceeding was flagged of by AK Balan, current Culture Minister, who in his speech talked about Onam, the festival of unity and joy. He received the flag on Sunday, 1st September, From s Anujan Thampuraan, the representative of the erstwhile royal family. Athachamayam 2019 went beautifully when compared to 2018, during which the proceeding didn’t take place after the inauguration due to downpour. Stalls were already set in the Boys school ground and the place was crowded with people from thee locality as well as from far off places. Procession included different art forms, floats and much more. “Last year taught me what starvation was, all my programs were cancelled due to the rain last year and we ended up starving within a month, we are looking forward to this year festivals to get back to our normal lives” says a performer, looking at the Atham flag.
Edited By: The World Women News
