Overview

• Festivities officially start today on Atham in the Malayalam month of Chingam, launching a 10‑day observance across Kerala.
• Atham Day features the Athachamayam procession in Kochi at the Vamanamoorthy Thirrikara Temple and the first Athapoo layer of pookalam floral designs.
• Most outlets list the main day, Thiruvonam, on Friday, Sept. 5, though some guides cite Sept. 6, reflecting a minor date discrepancy.
• Preparations are underway for the communal Onasadya, a vegetarian feast traditionally served on banana leaves with more than 20 dishes.
• Core celebrations include pookalam making, Vallamkali snake boat races, folk dances such as Thiruvathirakali and Pulikali, and gatherings by Malayali communities worldwide.