Royal splendour 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. Althou