In Kerala, a colourful and spectacular display of various art forms, dancers, tableaux, floats, and caprisoned elephants marked the Athachamayam procession held at Thripunithura town in Kochi on Wednesday morning. Atham heralded the beginning of Onam festivities in the state on Wednesday which culminates ten days later on Thiruvonam. Despite heavy rains, several hundreds thronged the streets to have a glimpse of the annual event. The event is a throwback on the days when the Maharajah of Cochin in full regal splendour set out to the Vamana Temple at Thrikkakara to take part in the Onam festival. The practice was discontinued due to some reason, but the procession continued to be held in Thripunithura town on Atham day. The Atham flag, handed over to the organisers by a representative of the Cochin Royal family at the Hill Palace, was hoisted at the Government Boy's High School ground by the State Civil Supplies Minister Mr T M Jacob, marking the beginning of the procession. The state Minister for Tourism Mr A P Anil Kumar inaugurated the Athachamayam procession.