Athachamayam Festival Begins AT Tripunithura City Near In Kochi Of Ernakulam State

ATHACHAMAYAM FESTIVAL

AT

TRIPUNITHURA

Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

Conducted every year on the Atham star of the Malayalam month Chingam, the event held at the Royal historical town of Tripunithura is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Kochi King. In olden days it was customary for the king to travel with his entire entourage to the Tripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm, and is conducted in a spectacular manner and is being conducted by the Tripunithura Municipality with whole hearted co-operation of the public.

Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, musical ensembles etc form part of the procession.

Atham, the day which heralds the 10-day Onam festivities, is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Tripunithura.In earlier times, the Athachamayam Festival was celebrated in honour of the Raja of Kochi. On the festival day, the Maharaja undertook the ritualistic Attachamayam march from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara.He then offered his special prayers there.The grand parade made a halt at the royal quarters at Puthen Bungalow enroute, and later marched towards the sprawling Hill Palace compound. The Maharaja gave 'darshan' to his innumerable citizens during this day. 

Representatives from all communities accompanied the Kochi Maharaja during Athachamayam. They included a priest from Karingachira Church, head priest of the mosque Nettur Thangal, and Chembil Arayan, a representative of the fisher folk.Today, a senior representative of the Cochin royal family, alongwith the other two religious leaders, jointly flag off the ceremony. 

Although the reign of royalty had come to an end with the attainment of independence and re-organisation of states, the festival is still celebrated in all its glory to mark the beginning of Onam, the state festival of Kerala.Onam festivities in the district begin with the ceremonial parade of Athachamayam at Tripunithura. 

Some of the folk art forms such as Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, Kathakali, Aattakkavadi, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam etc are displayed in the parade. Floats depicting immortal moments from epics like Mahabharatha and Ramayana and from the Bible as well as current social issues, reflect the secular nature of the festival, highlighting unity and harmony. Myths and legends of yore in the forms of gods and goddesses lend colour and meaning to the event. There are also cultural competitions and variety entertainment activities held as part of the festival. Apart from the regular footpath vendors who deal with items from handicrafts and cottage sectors, a ten-day trade fair is also organised at Tripunithura.

Goa Government Interdict Crowd-Pulling Dance Festivals In Peak Tourist Season

The Goa government is mulling not to permit the crowd-pulling dance music festivals in the state during the peak tourist season.

One of the biggest reasons most of us prefer travelling to Goa during the year-end is because we just love welcoming the new year by grooving to the tunes of the popular electronic dance music (EDM) festivals--Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic, that are held at the beach destination.

But things won't be the same anymore, as these festivals won't be allowed in Goa during the festive week of Christmas and New Year, said Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar. The state government of Goa is mulling not to permit the crowd-pulling dance music festivals in the state between December 15 and January 15, which is the peak tourist season.

Although this decision won't make too many travellers happy, putting a ban to such events being organised in the period from December 25 to December 30 became a necessity as they were criticised by the Opposition as well as civil society groups, because of the traffic congestion and pressure on public infrastructure, especially a time when tourism activity in the state is already at its peak.

"We are seriously thinking not to allow mega events like EDM festivals between December 15 and January 15 every year as the state witnesses rush of tourists during that time who arrive here to usher in the New Year," Parulekar told PTI.

He further added that if the organisers want, they can have their event before December 15 or after January 15, when the peak time for rush of tourists is not there.

Both the organisers have already moved an application seeking permission to host the festival this year.

"The panel has asked them to submit their proposed dates for holding the event. We have also conveyed the organisers to consider holding the events before December 15 or post January 15 to reduce further pressure on the state machinery," the minister said.

Ooty Toy Train - It Gives The Impression Of Beings Best Outlooks By Travelling In Toy Train To Ooty

TOY TRAIN AT OOTY

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train is the highlight of a visit to the popular hill settlement of Ooty, in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. Established in the early 19th century by the British as the summer headquarters of the Chennai government, Ooty now draws tourists wanting to escape the stifling summer heat.

Although the railway was proposed in 1854, it wasn't completed until 1908 as the rocky terrain and thickly forested hills made the work difficult. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is located in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 250 bridges (including 32 major ones) and through 16 tunnels. This railway is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, ravines, tea plantations, and forested hills. Coonoor, with its world famous teas, is a tourist destination in itself.

One toy train operates along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Metupalaiyam to Ooty. The engine is an 'X' Class steam locomotive, made in Switzerland. It pulls quaint blue and cream wooden carriages with large windows. The engine is changed for a more powerful diesel one at Coonoor, to provide greater traction for the steep climb up to Ooty.

Both first class and second class seating are offered on the toy train, and it's worth buying a first class ticket to have a more peaceful and less cramped journey away from the crowds. It's also possible to get unreserved tickets at the counters if you arrive early enough.

The most spectacular scenery and best views are situated along the stretch from Metupalaiyam to Coonoor. Hence, some people prefer to only travel along this stretch.

There's only one toy train departure daily. The train is scheduled to connect to the Nilgiri Express, which travels from Chennai to Metupalaiyam.

·   The 56136/Mettupalayam-Ooty MG Passenger train leaves Metupalaiyam at 7.10 a.m, and arrives in Ooty at noon 

·   Coming back, the 56137/Ooty-Mettupalayam MG Passenger train leaves Ooty at 2 p.m. and reaches Metupalaiyam at 5.35 p.m.

An additional train service sometimes runs during the peak summer tourist season from April to June.

Do note that the area receives rain from both the south-west and north-east monsoons, and this commonly disrupts services.

The regular reserved adult train fare is 30 rupees in second class and 205 rupees in first class, one way. The unreserved general fare is 15 rupees one way.

Reservations for travel on the toy train to Ooty can be made at Indian Railways computerized reservation counters, or on the Indian Railways website. It's advisable to book two to three months in advance as the train fills up fast, particularly during peak season from April to June, Indian festival season (especially around Diwali vacation), and Christmas.

Here's how to make a reservation on the Indian Railways website. The station code for Metupalaiyam is MTP, and Udagamandalam (Ooty) UAM.