Marigold holds immense significance in Kerala, during the Onam celebrations. The vibrant and cheerful flower plays a crucial role in decorating homes, temples, and public spaces. Its golden colour symbolizes prosperity, happiness, and purity, making it an integral part of the festivities. So, it’s no surprise that tourists from around the state are thronging to see the beauty of the marigold farms in Kattakkada.
Kerala’s Kattakkada Marigold Fields Attract Tourists Ahead Of Onam
Spent the morning cycling through the beautiful lowlands of Tamil Nadu, just over the Thekkady / Kerala border, with Spice Village @CGH_Earth.
Marigold fields, banana plantations, beetroot farms, cabbage fields, so much to love 💚#indiatravel #kerala #collab pic.twitter.com/zFTHdbDCMk
— Shivya Nath (@shivya) February 20, 2020
According to a Hindustan Times report, tourists from Thiruvananthapuram city and other parts of Kerala are flocking to Kattakkada, to witness the blossoming marigold flowers. Pallichal Panchayat has cultivated marigolds across 26 acres in 13 different locations, stated the report.
This year, as part of the “Ente Nadu Ente Onam” project, a total of 50 acres of land in the Kattakkada constituency have been dedicated to flower cultivation. The first day of the ten-day-long Onam celebration is known as Atham Day.
On this day, people actively participate in making floral carpets. These carpets are created in houses, apartments, offices, and public places. Kerala has usually had to rely on Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states for flowers to make floral carpets. As Athappookkalam, the carpet-making process, is an integral part of the Onam celebration, reported Hindustan Times.
Flower cultivation wasn’t popular in Kerala, but in recent years, people have started experiencing it in different places. Kattakkada constituency MLA I.B. Satheesh stated that they use the methodology of ‘convergence’ in each project, reported Hindustan Times.
Also Read: 8 Instagrammable Spots in Kerala
The Hands That Worked Hard To Make This Happen
Marigold field around Gundlupet area, road trip from Kerala to Bangalore pic.twitter.com/EpY1HlNjFb
— Di (@DinahAshiho) October 1, 2017
For this specific project, MGNREGA workers prepared the land and the Panchayat granted permission and supervised it. Kudumbasree workers were engaged in flower cultivation, and the agriculture department provided full support, said the MLA in the report.
Besides its beauty, this project also stands to convey a significant message. Mallika, the president of Pallichal Grama Panchayat, said the flower cultivation was done in wastelands. As per the report, the panchayat identified and utilized unused lands for this success.
The project has also successfully employed 250 workers, providing one month of work for them, said the report. In order to keep tourism booming, the farmers of the area also plan to start sunflower farming.
Onam is a vibrant and joyous harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, India. The festivities last for ten days and are marked by traditional rituals and cultural performances. One essential aspect of Onam celebrations is the extensive use of marigold flowers.
Also Read: By 2050, Kochi, Alappuzha And These Places In Kerala Will Be Gone And Under The Sea!
Marigold holds immense significance during this time, and people use it largely to make beautiful floral carpets called “Athappookkalam.”
Cover image credits: Canva (Representative image)