Kochi: The 10-day Onam celebrations in Tripunithura will begin with Athachamayam procession on Sunday. The celebrations will be inaugurated by chief minister V D Satheesan, whereas actor Manoj K Jayan will flag off the procession.According to municipality chairperson P L Babu, the procession will be conducted adhering to green protocols and will feature traditional art forms including kathakali, pulikali, chendamelam and theyyam, with celebrations set to continue till Aug 25.According to Babu, the civic body has made arrangements for the large crowd expected for the event. Around 500 police personnel and volunteers will be deployed for security and traffic management. Parking facilities have been arranged at six locations, including the Sanskrit College ground, Sanskrit School ground, Govt Girls Higher Secondary School ground, NSS College ground, Karingachira Church ground and Sree Venkiteswara School ground.The inaugural ceremony and flag hoisting will be held at the Govt Boys Higher Secondary School ground at 9am. Tripunithura MLA Deepak Joy will preside over the function. Civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob will hoist the ‘atham’ flag. Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, Kottayam MP Francis George and Ernakulam district collector G Priyanka will attend as chief guests.According to municipality officials, for the procession, the municipality has ensured drinking water, toilets and medical assistance. Five ambulances will be stationed at different locations in Tripunithura. Public toilets will be available near the Poornathrayeesa temple, and Vadakkekotta and SN Metro stations.
