When I look back

Here comes Another Onam Season

Missing those childhood Onam days again.
Let me take you guys to a Happy Journey to my old memories.
For us, Onam is the time for Relaxing after a Hectic week of Quarterly exams and for enjoying vacation.

                 Onam is the only festival in Kerala that lasts for 10 days. Keralites celebrate Onam unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. The proverb ,''Kaanam vittum onam unnanam'' is really true. It means “We should have the 'Thiruvonam' lunch even if we have to sell all our properties”

  

                 'Atham' day is the beginning of Onam celebrations in Kerala. Atham is the first day of making Pookalam (Flower carpet). This then continues for 10 days till Onam. There is a saying in Kerala – Atham Pathinu Ponnonam ( Tenth day from Atham is the Onam day)

                  'Athachamayam' on Atham day is the  Starting of Onam celebrations in My hometown Tripunithura ,Raja Nagari of Cochin. To the people of Tripunithura, Athachamayam means a lot and they do not forget to attend it each year. On that day people will be waiting on the both sides of the road to watch the Athachamayam parade and attractions, doesn't  matter if its sunny or rainy. Here are few photographs of Athachamayam.

                   Long ago, The Kochi Maharaja used to travel with his followers from Tripunithura to Trikkakara Vamanamoorthy temple on Atham day to participate in the onam celebrations.

People used to stand in the road sides to greet him and see him closely during this occasion. The era of Kings have ended, the festival and tradition still continuous. 
There will be many elephants decorated with the traditional ‘Nettipattam',  children performing Pulikali, colorful Kaavadi, parade of different school students, Mayilattam, chendamelam,  shinkarimelam,  ammankudam,  theyyam,  Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, barathanadyam,  lorry tableaus on current affair issues, and lots of lots of traditional art dances.

                             For making pookkalam ,I used to pluck flowers from my amma’s garden. And I remember drawing pokkalam designs for college pookkalam competitions. Wow…onam celebration in college days were beautiful… all the girls will be in Kasavu sari and set mundu …pookkalam competition , onam games and atlast onam sadhya. Pookkalam designs will be amazing. Do you wanna see some?... (google pookkalam images)

                          Last 4 onam days, we will be in front of the TV watching loads of movies….in between fighting with my Appa and Brother to watch my favourite channel “ WE”

Thiruvonam day amma will make small sadhya - Rice with Sambar,  Aviyal,  Injipuli, Cabbage thoran, Chips, Sarkkaravartti,  Pazham, Pappadam…and by the time nandu and puttu (neighbors)  will bring a yummy yummy payasam that lekha chechi made.

I miss onam  in my house  with Amma ,appa and Jo

Am in a world that is totally different from yesterday…and I know that I can’t go back to those yesterdays. Am wishing to be a child once again.

Am I really missing those days???….yeah I do.

when my friends post Tripunithura athachmayam photos in facebook,

when my brother posts pookalam photos,

when my friends post photos with kasavu sari
when they wish each other 'Happy Onam' 

Am eagerly waiting to make my favourite Palada Payasam for this Onam. This is the 3rd Year that am not at home for Onam. For the next onam , I want to be in God's Own Country, the land of coconut trees. 

Ente keralam ethra sundaram" !( How beautiful is my Kerala)

A wonderful Onam Awaits all of us !