Malayali community in Madurai celebrates Onam with traditional fervour

People from Kerala residing in Madurai celebrate Onam by decorating their homes with ‘Athapookalam’ made using about 50 kg of flowers at Kalai Nagar on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK Malayali people in Madurai celebrated Onam with great enthusiasm by creating ‘Athapookalam’ (flower carpets) at their homes, wearing new clothes and performing ‘Thiruvathirakali’ dance.In the Kalai Nagar area of Madurai, they created ‘Athapookalam’ using 50 kg of colourful flowers.On the day of the Avittam star, Malayalis living across the country celebrate Onam with great enthusiasm. To welcome King Mahabali to the mortal world for the Onam festival, Malayalis created a grand ‘Athapookalam’ using 50 kg of flowers, including tuberose, chrysanthemum, rose and jasmine. They welcomed him by singing Onam songs and folding their hands in prayer.As part of the celebrations, people tied traditional decorative ‘thoranams’ at their homes, performed the ‘Thiruvathirakali’ dance and expressed their joy. People from Kerala residing in Madurai celebrate Onam by decorating their homes with ‘Athapookalam’ made using about 50 kg of flowers at Kalai Nagar on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK Neighbours eagerly visited to admire the ‘Athapookalam’ created for Onam and exchanged greetings.They also welcomed friends and neighbours to the Onam sadya that followed by serving paruppu payasam.Malayalis, from children to elders, wore new clothes and celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm. Published - August 26, 2026 08:04 pm IST