Onam Pookalam Designs

At Trichur, the cultural head quarters of Kerala, marks the festival in its own delightful style. A procession of ornamented elephants is carried out on the streets.Particularly kids take great enchantment in watching the show of their favorite animal. Songs, dance and fun making are a part of this occasion.

Entire Kerala emerges in its ostentatious best on this day. Cultural burlesque, music and feasts add colors of cheerfulness and joy to the God's Own Country. Rich cultural legacy of Kerala comes out in its best form during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the magnificent celebration. People of Kerala make rich preparations to rejoice it in the best possible manner.

Onam Festival,Onam pookkalam,Athapookalam,Onapookkalam,pookkalam Pictures

The ten-day celebrations of Onam start on Atham by putting Flower Carpet (Arts by flowers) in front of house. It is also known as Onapookkalam, Pookkalam and Aththa-Poo'. 'Pookkalam' consists of two Malayalam words; 'poov' meaning flower and 'kalam' means colour sketches on the ground. Pookkalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during the ten-day-long Onam celebrations to receive the King Mahabali.

Onam Pookalams otherwise called ‘Athapookalam’ also. Traditionally, Onam Pookalams are made from the Atham Day and continues till Thiruvonam Day.

Onam,Pookalam,Aththa-Poo,Designs of Pookkalam,Floral Carpet Competitions

Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations.

Poo - means flower. Kalam means special shape. Pookalams (flower mats) are usually circular in shape.

Onapookkalam is made of various kinds of flowers. Commonly used flowers include Thumba (Lucas Aspera), Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti (little tree plant), Chemparathy (shoe flower), Aripoo or Konginipoo (Lantana), Hanuman Kireedom (Red pagoda plant) and Chethi (Ixora). Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookkalam as they are small in size and glitter in the soft rays of the sun.