Athapookalam is the flower carpet made in Kerala homes during the ten days of Onam. This 3 ft athapookalam design has rings of yellow, orange, red, white and violet flowers with a lamp (nilavilakku) in the centre. It takes about 90 minutes.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Draw circles at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 inches wide with chalk, and divide the outer ring into 8 sections.
Step 2
Fill the centre with white flowers and place a small lamp in the middle.
Step 3
Fill the next rings with yellow, then orange, then red petals.
Step 4
Fill the outer sections alternately violet and green, and edge the whole pookalam with orange petals.
Tips
- Chop leaves finely to get a smooth green colour.
- Keep flowers in water until you use them so they stay fresh.
Frequently asked questions
What is athapookalam?
The flower carpet laid on each of the ten days of Onam, starting from Atham day.
How many flowers do I need for a 3 ft pookalam?
About 1.5 kg of marigolds plus smaller amounts of other flowers and leaves.
