Today is Atham, marking the beginning of the ten-day long Onam festival in Kerala. The day is considered auspicious by the people of the state where a large number of people are visiting temples. From today, people start making pookkalam or floral carpets in front of their homes as a symbolic gesture to welcome the legendary king Mahabali. The Onam festivities culminate with Thiruonam, on the tenth day of Atham. Atham this year falls in the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam. At Thripunithura in Kochi, a colourful and spectacular display of various art forms, tableaux and floats will begin within a couple of hours from now as part of the famous Atham procession. The ten day long Onam festival at the Thrikkakara Temple, also in Kochi, closely associated with the legend of King Mahabali will begin this evening with kodiyettu flag hoisting.