page_title: Onam
section_title: Pookkalam (Flower Carpets)
hierarchical_section_title: Onam / Celebrations, rituals and practices / Pookkalam (Flower Carpets)
caption_attribution_description: English: A derivative work on the following wikimedia images Onam Pookkalam.jpg Onam Pookkalam at Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature FULL View.jpg Onam flower carpet 2.jpg Onam flower carpet 3.jpg Onam pukolam.jpg
context_page_description: Onam is an annual holiday and festival celebrated in Kerala, India. It is also a harvest festival celebrated by all keralates irrespective of religion, whose date is based on the Hindu Panchangam and falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September. According to legends, the festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
  Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. It is a harvest festival, one of three major Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, and it is observed with numerous festivities. Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Kummattikali, Onathallu, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam, and other celebrations. It is the New Year day for Malayalis.
  Onam is the official state festival of Kerala with public holidays that start four days from Uthradom. Major festivities take place across 30 venues in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. It is also celebrated by Malayali diaspora around the world.
context_section_description: The floral carpet, known as Onapookkalam or just Pookkalam, is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to design and decorate patterns on the floor, particularly at entrances and temple premises like a flower mat. Lamps are arranged in the middle or edges. It is a work of religious art, typically the team initiative of girls and women, who accomplish it with a delicate touch and a personal artistic sense of tone and blending. When completed, a miniature pandal (umbrella) hung with little festoons is erected over it. The pookkalam is similar to Rangoli which is made of powders of various colors and is popular in North India.
  The traditional ritual of laying pookkalam (floral carpet) starts on Atham day. The pookkalam on this day is called Athapoo, and it is relatively small in size. The size of the pookkalam grows in size progressively with each day of the Onam festival. Only yellow flowers will be used on Atham with only one circular layer made and the design is kept simple. Statues or figurines of Mahabali and Vamana are also installed at the entrance of each house on this day.
  Traditionally, Atthapookalams included flowers endemic to Kerala and the Dashapushpam (10-flowers), but nowadays all varieties of flowers are used. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house along with the Pookalam, and beautifully decorated with flowers. All over Kerala, Pookalam competitions are a common sight on Onam day.
caption: Floral arrangement during Onam are a tradition
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