Athappookkalam - The only one I could see in my village

One of the highlights of traditional Onam festivities is the aththa-poo, an auspicious floral decoration that is made in the compound of the house. Usually circular in shape, it is often multi-tiered, and up to four or five meters across. It is decorated with leaves, flowers and petals of different kinds. A flower is dedicated to each day of Onam, and predominates the decorations.



This colourful flower decoration lasts for ten days from Atham day to the festive Thiruvonam day. Different flowers are used daily. On the next day of Onam, Thumba flowers along with leaves and stems are used to decorate this pookalam. This will remain untouched for the next 15 days. On the 15 day i.e. on the Ayilyam day the pooklam will again be decorated with various flowers. The next day, on Magam day this pooklam will get cut in the four corners with knife and that ends the pookalam decoration of that year.



Even now Pookalam (flower decorations) competitions are conducted through out Kerala on the day of Onam and the best Pookalam are rewarded with traditional prizes.