DEAR ALL,
WHAT IS POOKALAM:-
Athapookalam or Onapookalam is the flower bed or flower arrangements done during Onam celebrations in Kerala. The tradition of making Pookalam in front of the main entrance is very old and is followed by everyone who belongs to Kerala. Athapoo is usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. In Malayalam language, 'Poo' stands for 'flower' where as 'Kalam' stands for 'artwork'. It is an intricate and very colourful arrangement of flowers which, when laid on the floor, gives an appearance of a carpet made purely of flowers. The floral carpet, known as 'Onapookkalam, is made out of the gathered blossoms with several varieties of flowers of differing tints pinched up into little pieces. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.
How is Pookalam Made
The concept of pookalam differ from place to place. In my side for making pookalam first of all the entire floor is cleaned and all the dust is wiped out. Cowdung is considered very holy and spread over the entire wiped area where the Pookalam is to be made. Cow dung has the power to kill bacteria which are harmful for humans and considered good for health.It is very rich in minerals and a great factor of anti-bacterial.It prevents people from various diseases and health issues.Small insects like scorpions, centipeded etc., don't come near to the places which are coated with the paste of cow dung.Cow dung acts as a natural mosquito repellent.Mosquitoes stay away from such places.The floor which is coated with cow dung remains warm in winters and cold in summers.
Once the cow dung is evenly spread, motifs on it are made using the hairline bamboo sticks or any pin like material. Then the pattern made on the cowdung is filled with flowers. Starting from the Atham day, every day a ring of flowers and leaves is added to the pookalam making it grow in size till it reaches its final shape on Thiruvonam day. On the Atham day, there will only be a single ring, with single colour flower, the next day which is Chithira there will be two rings with two colours of flowers like that and finally on the Thiruonam day there will be ten rings with ten different colours of flowers. In some places, each nakshatram of the day used to be marked on the Pookalam as it stands as the representation of the Nakshatra.
FLOWERS USED FOR POOKKALAM:-
Traditionally pookalam included flowers endemic to Kerala and the Dashapushpam (10 flowers) i.e.
1) Valliuzhinja,(Cardiospermum halicacabum)
2) Thiruthali, ( Manthrogora Officianalum)
3) Muyalchevi(Oricheviyan,)
4) Nilappana,(Curculigo Orchiodes)
5) Mukkuti (Biophytum Sensitivum),
6) Karuka(Cynodon dactylon),
7) Kanjunni/Kayyonni(Eclipta alba),
8) Poovam Kurinnila(Vernonia cineria),
9) Cheroola(Ervalanata),
10) Vishnukraanthi/Krishnakraanthi(Ivolvulus Ulcinoides).
DASAPUSHPAM POOKALAM
"Dasa" means ten in sanskrit and pushpam means flowers. These ten herbs are traditionally significant to Keralites, and are used for decorative purposes, such as making the floral carpet Pookalam during festivals like Onam.Divine power of dasapushpam the ten sacred herbs flowers give a healthy mind body and soul having many curative properties. More than flowers the entire plant is considered in this group and is widely used in ayurveda. These herbs are found almost everywhere in Kerala and ealrier pookalam is made up of only with dasahapuspam.
Nowadays Various flowers are used to get the desired design and pattern. Commonly used flowers are Thumba, Thulasi, Kadali, Mukkutti, Chethi, Shankupushpam, Manthaaram, Jemanthi and Chembarathi , Rose, Marigold, Pichakam, pavizhamalli, nandyaarvattam, are some of the flowers using for making pookalam. Thumba flowers are considered best as they are small in size white in color and glitter in the rays of the sun which depicts purity and it manifests the presence of all colors - the complete energy of light. 'Thumba Poo' is also considered to be the favorite flower of Lord Shiva and King Mahabali was a devout worshiper of Shiva.
SIGNIFICANCE OF POOKALAM:-
Pookalam forms a vital part in the welcoming celebration of King Mahabali whose soul visits the state in the ten days during Onam feels happy to see these beautiful patterns on the entrance of one's home. The design made on the veranda or at the entrance of the home sets the essence of the festival and fills the air with festivity. Thus, the prosperity and happiness of that home is ensured for along time.
Traditional Pookalam pattern are created in ten rings or round steps each representing a 'God'. Symbolically the ten rings or steps represent the ten deities in the Hindu pantheon. First step is Ganesha, second is Shiva Shakti, third is Shiva, fourth is Brahma, fifth is Pancha Boothangal, sixth is for Shanmughan or Muruga, seventh step is for Guru, eighth step is for ashta digpalakar, ninth is for Indra and tenth is for Lord Vishnu.There is also a belief that the floral carpet symbolically represents the fight between Asuras (demons) and Devas (Demi gods). On the Thiruonam day a conical figure made up of clay and painted with rice flour paste, is placed in the courtyard. This is called Thrikkakarai Appan, who is Lord Vamana.For some people it represents both King maveli and Vishnu. King Maveli is referred to as Onathappan. In this way Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and worshiped.
MESSAGE OF POOKALAM:-
Onappookkalam symbolizes Unity in Diversity, all flowers gather harmoniously. "Pookkalam represent the unity of hearts. use of many different types of flower petals to make a pookkalam is symbolic of the coming together of hearts in society. The unity of hearts is the beauty of society. Each flower has a beauty of its own, but when they come together their beauty multiplies. This is the true celebration of Onam." Bloomed flower is a materialization of joy, happiness, accomplished expectations, abundance, plenitude etc. Flowers of various fragrance, colour and quality gather in one pookkalam banishing all discriminations. All that facilitate Unity and Integrity. Pookalam are our expression of gratitude and devotion to the Lord.
DONT'S IN POOKALAM:-
Pookkalams or the flower carpet has remained an integral symbol of Onam. cow-dung was earlier used to make the base of the pookalam, now people are using thin batter of rice flour, chalk piece etc. Use of powder colours (Rangoli), coconut or artificial flowers is prohibited.
Earlier dashapushpam is used for making pookalam but nowadays all varities of flowers are using for beautiful pattern and today the tradition is rarely followed and importance is given to design. People even use Rangoli and artificial colors to make Pookalam by mixing colours in white flower petals.
In the recent years, the floral designs have evolved from the traditional circular shape to unique designs depicting different cultural and social aspects of Kerala life. Now the Pookalam designs have gone beyond tradition and comes in all shapes and sizes. Today's Pookalam Designs have grown from this traditional shape into square, oval and other geometrical patterns. Many pookkalams concentrate more on the design part and in the process the ten rings are avoided. Some make pooklam on concrete floors and indoors for lack of space. Even ready-made pookalams are available. But Onam still brings back good memories of childhood with prosperity and warmth togetherness.
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
Posted by: Shaija v bhaskaran <shaijavb@gmail.com>
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