Nurun gukal  contd..........

                                Mukkiti poovu blossoms in the morning, as the sun rays fall on the buds. It is bright yellow in colour. We collect them in Colocasia { chembu } leave kumbil. For eight days starting from Athum, in the month of Chingam flowers are arranged in different designs. Our sister selects the designs and she is very artistic. The celebrations gains momentum from Pooradam. Onam markets commence on this day. It is known as POORADAM VANIBUM. It is on this day at noon we make THRKAKARAPPAN in mud. This is a symbolic representation of Lord Vishnu. Three conical shaped mud blocs are placed in the NADUMITTAM. One used to be slightly bigger which is kept on a PEEDAM in the middle. The idols are seated on wooden plank after decorating the floor with rice paste . This consists of an intricate design, lotus shell horn, bow and arrow and sudarshana chakram, as you see Vishnu with all decorations. Bunches of different flowers add beauty to this arrangement.  Till Thiru onam every day thrice pooja is conducted by a boy, with the accompaniments of the beating of VILLU. My father was an expert on this and it will be almost like a Chenda Melam.

                                On UTHRADAM, there will be a musical performance by PANAN and his wife  accompanied by a fiddle. They will sing a few couplets praising THIKAKARAPPAN.