Atham is the first day of the 10 days long Onam festival

Atham is the first day of the 10 days long Onam festival celebrated and marks the preparation for the day King Mahabali returns to his kingdom. At the Thrikkakkara Vamana Moorthy Temple and throughout Kochi and Kerala grand functions like the Athachamayam are held. On each day of Onam, people continue to celebrate laying Pookalam, beginning with the base layer known as Athapoo.

Atham falls month of August or September and traditional festivities start with offices & homes laying out the Pookkalam, a floral carpet, every morning till the main days of the festival.