Aththachamayam falls tomorrow

[padmanabha]

ATHTHACHAMAYAM FALLS TOMORROW
Aththachamaym falls in the month of chingam(aavani) in the asterism Aththam. (Tenth day of Aththam is Thiruvonam).
Aththachamayam is one of the royal functions discharged by His Highness the Maharaja of Kochi. It is an archaic function of great historical and political importance. The origin of this function is lost in the mist of time. Available records show that they are coeval with the beginnings of the ruling family itself.
It is a simple ceremony. H H in the royal regalia accompanied by all the insignia of royalty comes out in a stately procession, seated in a palanquin carrying in his lap the family crown received from the legendary Parasurama. He is accompanied by the representatives of the traditional families who have done yeomen service to the State in olden days and of various castes and creeds in the State.
Vedic chants, orthodox music, caparisoned elephants and state forces add color to the function. The ceremony takes place wherever the H H happens to be on the day. The ceremony knows no postponement. Even death pollution is no barto the postponement. According to one version only the Maharaja’s ill health, could postpone Aththachamayam.

Proxy cannot discharge the function. The assembled host is a conglomeration of the different elements composing of the subjects of the State. Every section of his subjects has its representative, participating actively in all function. All representatives and officers of the State receive a moneygift directly from H H. The Maharaja was hailed as the King of the Jews, the King of the Christians, theKing of the Hindus, and the King of the Foreigners.
What does Aththachamayam symbolize?
One version is that the Maharaja was on his trip to TRUKKAKKARA temple. Half way through it was reported that enemies had occupied the temple and he returned disappointed. Another version is that, the function is symbolic of the original position, which the king of Kochi occupied in Kerala politics in ancient and medieval ages-the acclamation in public of his position as the Emperor of Kerala. It is the annual levy, convened by the Imperial Overlord of Kerala-a position that is evidenced by local traditions, inscriptions and literature as well as by the early reports of the Portuguese.