Tripunithura: The famous Athachamayam procession has begun in Tripunithura on Sunday. The flag was hoisted by minister P Rajeev at Atham nagar - the Tripunithura Boys High School. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event and the procession was flagged off by actor Mammootty.

"I hope this great secular festival happening in Tripunithura in Kerala sends out a strong message of love and harmony across the nation in these testing times. This festival will be brought into international attention through the persistent efforts of the tourism department,"  said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan after inaugurating the festival.

“Athachamayam has always amazed me. I think Mahabali is the greatest socialist to have ever graced the earth. This particular festival can be celebrated on an even bigger scale, probably as a wider cultural-literature-musical festival,” said actor Mammooty. He requested the government to conduct the iconic festival on an extravagant scale.

“The Athachamayam is no longer a royal celebration. We are living in democratic times. This beautiful festival of friendship, love and unity is owned by its own people. I would request the tourism department to work towards converting the Athachamayam procession into a trademark event of Kerala, which I think will potentially attract scores of tourists from across the country,” concluded Mammootty.